Now & Then

Master Choices, Scenes, and Endings in This Gripping Adult Game

Ever stumbled into a game that hooks you with steamy choices and branching stories? That’s Now & Then for me—a choice-based visual novel where every decision shapes your steamy adventures with characters like Carol, Naomi, Sydney, and Alice. I remember my first playthrough, fumbling choices and missing epic scenes, but once I cracked the point system, it was nonstop thrills. This guide dives deep into Now & Then gameplay, from maximizing love points to unlocking hidden kinks and threesomes. Whether you’re chasing pregnancies in endings or replaying chapters, stick around to level up your experience and conquer every path.

How to Dominate Now & Then Choices and Point Systems?

My first run of Now & Then was a total disaster. 🚫 I waltzed through the zombie apocalypse thinking, “Hey, I’m the hero, my gut is always right!” Big mistake. I ended up with Carol barely speaking to me, Naomi looking at me like I was a stranger, and my gallery emptier than a looted supermarket. I’d missed so many crucial scenes because I had no clue how the game’s Now & Then points system actually worked. I was just clicking buttons, not building relationships.

Sound familiar? If you’re tired of getting “just friends” endings when you were aiming for something steamier, you’re in the right place. This guide is the cheat code I wish I’d had. We’re going to break down the exact Now & Then choices you need to make, demystify the stat tracking, and map out the paths to your favorite scenes. Let’s make sure your next playthrough is legendary. 😎

Unlocking Max Points with Smart Decisions

The secret sauce of Now & Then isn’t just about being nice—it’s about being strategically nice (or strategically bold!). Every dialogue option and action feeds into a hidden spreadsheet of stats: Love, Trust, Nerve, and Conflict. Think of them as the four pillars of your apocalypse persona.

• Love & Trust: The core relationship builders. Love points are crucial for romantic and intimate progression, especially with Carol. Naomi trust points are the absolute key to unlocking her deeper, more vulnerable scenes and her unique ending.
• Nerve: This is your boldness meter. High Nerve opens up more daring dialogue and action choices, particularly for initiating intimate moments. But beware—it can sometimes backfire if used at the wrong time.
• Conflict: The stat you usually want to minimize. High Conflict with a character creates tension and can lock you out of their path entirely. It’s the “teeter-totter” effect in action: a choice that gives you +1 Love with Carol might give you +1 Conflict with Naomi, forcing you to choose your focus.

So, how to max love points Now & Then? It’s about consistency and paying attention. You can’t flip-flop. If you’re dedicated to Carol’s path, you need to choose options that increase her Love and avoid ones that spike Conflict with her. Let’s look at a concrete example from a pivotal moment.

In Chapter 7, you’re often presented with a trio of choices that perfectly illustrate this system. One option might be to “Apologize to Naomi,” which nets you those precious +1 Naomi trust points. Another might be to “Check on Carol,” which can lead to an intimate moment (like a fingering scene) but often applies a -1 Nerve cost, as it’s a cautious move. A third, bolder option might raise Nerve but create Conflict.

The game rarely holds your hand, which is why Now & Then stat tracking is a game-changer. I keep a simple notepad doc open: “Carol Love: 5, Naomi Trust: 3, Nerve: 2.” It stops the guesswork.

To get you started, here’s a breakdown of some critical early decisions that set the tone for your entire playthrough.

Best Paths for Carol, Naomi, and Sydney Scenes

Now for the fun part: navigating the relationships. Each character has a specific “currency” you need to earn.

Mastering the Carol Path Now & Then 🏡
Carol’s route is about rebuilding familiarity and passion in a broken world. Her intimate scenes are often gated behind specific sequences of choices and stat thresholds.
* The Sequence Matters: A typical scene might require you to first choose a “Finger” action, then “Oral,” before the game allows a full sex scene. It’s a progression.
* Performance Counts: During these scenes, your choices determine her pleasure. To get the maximum Love +1 reward from an encounter, you often need to make her climax three times. Pay attention to her reactions! 🥵
* Unlock Kinks Now & Then: This is where Nerve and your relationship depth pay off. When given options like “Incest Play,” “Schoolgirl Play,” or “Butt Stuff,” selecting them usually requires high Nerve and Love. They’re not just for flavor; successfully engaging in these kinks can give substantial Love point bonuses and unlock special gallery images.

Securing Every Naomi Trust Point 🔒
Naomi is all about patience and emotional safety. Her path is slower but incredibly rewarding.
* Trust is Everything: Every Naomi trust point is a brick in the wall protecting her heart. You earn them through supportive dialogue, respecting her boundaries, and choosing her in key “teeter-totter” moments against Carol.
* Avoid Rushing: High Nerve choices often scare her off early. Be the stable, reliable rock. Her intimate scenes feel like earned victories, not casual encounters.
* The Rivalry: Pursuing Naomi actively will inevitably create Conflict with Carol. You have to accept this. You cannot max both paths in one run—this is where save files are your best friend!

Sydney & Other Encounters
Sydney’s scenes are often tied to main story progression and specific side choices. They can be great for boosting Nerve without majorly impacting the Carol/Naomi balance. Keep an eye out for her unique mini-quests in later chapters.

Avoiding Conflicts and Teeter-Totter Stats

This is the advanced class. The Now & Then points system is designed to make you feel the weight of your decisions. You can’t please everyone, and trying to will leave you with mediocre relationships all around.

Pro Tip: Embrace the “Save-Scum.” Before any major story beat or ambiguous choice, save your game. Play through the choice, see the immediate outcome, and if it’s not what you wanted, reload. It’s the best way to learn the system without committing 10 hours to a dead-end run.

Let’s visualize the “teeter-totter” with a classic example from Chapter 6. Naomi proposes a cautious plan. Carol wants to charge in headfirst.
* Choice A: “Naomi’s right, we should play it safe.”
* Outcome: Naomi Trust +1, Carol Conflict +1. Carol feels you don’t trust her strength.
* Choice B: “Carol’s got guts. Let’s do it.”
* Outcome: Carol Love +1, Naomi Conflict +1. Naomi feels you’re reckless and don’t value her counsel.

See? There’s no neutral option. The game forces you to define your loyalties. This is why having a clear goal—”This run is for Carol”—is so vital. It simplifies your Now & Then choices.

A Final Gameplay Tip: Beating the Infected Mini-Game
Occasionally, you’ll be thrown into a quick defense sequence against the infected. Winning these (usually by killing 1-25 zombies, depending on the chapter) often unlocks additional short dialog scenes or small stat bonuses. They’re worth paying attention to! A win might give you a quiet moment with a character to earn a few extra points.

FAQ: Your Top Now & Then Points Questions, Answered

Q: I picked a “wrong” kink option early and the scene ended awkwardly. Did I ruin my chance with that character?
A: Not necessarily! While a failed attempt might cost a little Nerve or not give a Love bonus, it rarely locks you out forever. Focus on rebuilding the core stat (Love or Trust) and your Nerve. The option will often reappear later when your relationship is stronger. This is a key part of learning how to max love points Now & Then—timing is everything.

Q: Can I replay a single chapter to fix a mistake, or do I need to restart the whole game?
A: Great news! Now & Then has a fantastic chapter select feature from the gallery. Once you’ve played through a chapter, you can jump back to any of its major decision points. This is perfect for Now & Then stat tracking and correction. Just remember: changing a choice mid-playthrough will alter everything after that point, so you’ll need to play forward from there to see the new results.

Q: I’m in late game and my Conflict with one character is super high. Is it too late to switch paths?
A: It’s very, very hard. The Now & Then points system is cumulative. A mountain of late-game Trust points with Naomi might not outweigh a foundation of high Conflict. Your best bet is to load a much earlier save or embrace your current path for this playthrough. Use your next run to pursue the other character with single-minded focus from Chapter 1. That’s the beauty of this game—every run tells a different story.

There you have it—your roadmap to owning Now & Then, from nailing those pivotal choices to savoring every rendered scene and animation. I went from missing half the content to gallery completionist after applying these tips, and you’ll do the same. Dive back in, experiment with paths like the Naomi-Sydney threesome or Carol’s extended encounters, and chase those perfect endings. What’s your favorite route so far? Share in the comments, grab the latest version, and keep the adventures rolling—happy gaming!