Now & Then

Master Choices, Unlock Scenes, and Dive into Epic Storylines

Hey there, fellow adventurer—have you stumbled into the captivating world of Now & Then, the choice-driven visual novel that’s got everyone talking? This gem from ILSProductions blends steamy encounters, branching narratives, and relationship-building in a post-apocalyptic twist that keeps you hooked chapter after chapter. I remember my first playthrough: fumbling choices, missing that crucial love point with Carol, and replaying endlessly to unlock the wild threesome scene. If you’re chasing those alternate dialogues, kink preferences, or perfect endings, you’re in the right spot. Let’s break it down so you can conquer Now & Then like a pro, with actionable tips straight from my marathon sessions.

How to Master Choices in Now & Then for Maximum Rewards?

Ever been so sure you had a game figured out, only to realize you missed half of it? 🙃 That was me on my first run of Now & Then. I was clicking through, making choices that felt right in the moment, thinking I was building this deep connection. Then I compared notes with a friend online. They were describing hilarious scenes, tender moments, and entire character arcs I’d never even seen. I’d somehow locked myself into a painfully vanilla storyline. I felt like I’d read a different book! That frustration, that hunger to see everything the story had to offer, is what this guide is for. Forget stumbling in the dark—let’s master the art of Now & Then choices together.

This isn’t just about picking Option A or B. It’s about understanding a hidden economy of points, unlocking secret dialogues, and steering the narrative toward the richest possible experience. Every decision is a lever that pulls the story in a new direction. Ready to stop missing out and start maximize points Now & Then? Let’s dive in.

Unlocking Key Points and Alternate Dialogues

Think of every major choice in Now & Then as doing two things: awarding invisible relationship points and opening or closing doors to future content. The game doesn’t always shout “+1 LOVE” when you make a choice, but that’s essentially what’s happening behind the scenes. These points accumulate to determine which scenes you can access later and even alter the dialogue characters use with you in the present.

A perfect case study is the iconic Carol scene guide moment in Chapter 11. This is a masterclass in how to unlock alternate dialog Now & Then. Many players just rush through, but to truly maximize your rewards, you need to be deliberate. Here’s the insider strategy:

Pro Tip: During your intimate time with Carol, choose to perform Finger and Oral sex once each before moving to Intercourse. This specific sequence nets you a crucial +1 Love point with her. But don’t stop there! The real magic happens if you can make her climax three times during the entire scene. Achieving this unlocks not just extra dialogue during the encounter, but also unique, more affectionate lines from her in subsequent chapters. It changes the emotional texture of your relationship.

This is the golden rule for Now & Then choices: often, the “slower” or more thorough path yields greater rewards. The game rewards patience and attentiveness to your partner’s reactions. It’s not just about reaching an endpoint; it’s about enjoying and maximizing the journey there. Keeping a mental (or physical!) note of these love points and conflict points is key to navigating the story’s branching paths Now & Then successfully.

Setting Your Preferred Kink Early On

One of the most defining and fun Now & Then choices comes early, during your “One Round” with Carol. This is where you establish your kink preferences Now & Then, and it has massive repercussions for the entire game. This isn’t a casual flavor choice; it actively writes and unlocks future scenes.

You’re presented with four clear options, each crafting a different dynamic:
* Incest Play: This introduces “daddy” calls and frames the relationship with that specific power dynamic in dialogue from here on out.
* Schoolgirl Play: ⚠️ This is a major key. Selecting this is the only way to unlock a special, extended scene with Carol in Chapter 12. If you want a complete Carol scene guide, you must pick this at least once.
* Butt Stuff: This puts a focus on anal play and dialogue in future intimate scenes.
* Nothing: Keeps the relationship more vanilla in its expressed dialogue.

My personal opinion? Unless you’re aiming for a strictly vanilla run, Schoolgirl Play is almost essential for a first full playthrough because of that locked Chapter 12 content. It’s a fantastic example of how an early Now & Then choice can open up a whole narrative branch hours later. The beauty is, you can always replay and select a different preference to see how it changes the tone of your entire relationship! This is the core of learning how to maximize points Now & Then—knowing which choices are keys, not just locks.

Navigating Branching Paths Without Missing Scenes

This is where many players, including my past self, get lost. Now & Then is brilliant at creating the illusion of a linear story while hiding entire parallel scenes. A major branch occurs in Chapter 11, right after the initial intimacy with Carol. You have several options, and each leads to a radically different next few minutes of gameplay.

Let’s break down this critical junction to serve as a mini Now & Then walkthrough:

• Check up on Carol: This path shows your care for her. It costs you -1 Nerve, but leads to a tender fingering scene that builds more emotional intimacy.
• See what Naomi is doing: 🕵️‍♀️ This is a must-see. You’ll watch Naomi masturbate, which unlocks unique dialogue with her later and is crucial for building her relationship path.
• Continue with Carol, then Naomi: This is a “compromise” path that tries to balance attention between the two characters.
• Go to the kitchen: This seems innocuous but is actually a scene-missing trap in this context! You’ll miss the sexy content and instead get a fight with an infected. However, this fight has its own charm: defeating a specific number of infected (1, 2, 5, 10, 15, or 25) triggers progressively funnier and more boastful dialogue from your character later. It’s a silly, rewarding side challenge for a replay!

The smartest Now & Then choices here create a beautiful teeter-totter effect. For instance, choosing to watch Naomi gives you +1 Naomi love, but often at the cost of -1 Carol love (or vice-versa). The game is constantly asking you to define these relationships through opportunity cost.

To keep all these branching paths Now & Then straight, here’s a practical comparison of some key decision outcomes:

My number one piece of actionable advice? SAVE OFTEN, AND IN DIFFERENT SLOTS. Before any major decision, save. This allows you to explore a path, see its outcome, and then rewind if you want to try the other branch without replaying hours of content. Also, pay close attention to character reactions; a sigh or a smile can hint at whether you’ve gained or lost points.

Finally, don’t be afraid of those “infinite loop” moments where you’re just gathering supplies. They’re a great time to strategize your next story move. And remember, the chapter skip feature is your best friend for replayability. Once you’ve finished the game, you can jump back to any chapter with your current stats and make different Now & Then choices to paint a completely new story.

So, what’s your first replay target going to be? Heading back to Chapter 11 to finally see that Schoolgirl scene, or perhaps to explore what happens when you prioritize Naomi completely? The story is waiting.

Your Quick Now & Then FAQ

How do I get extra love points with Carol?
The most reliable method is during the Chapter 11 scene. Choose to perform Finger and Oral sex once each before Intercourse. This grants a +1 Love point. For an even bigger payoff, aim to make her climax three times total in the scene to unlock bonus affectionate dialogue.

What beats infected for funny dialog?
If you choose the “Kitchen” path in Chapter 11 and fight infected, you’ll get unique, boastful lines from your character after defeating specific numbers of them. The milestones to trigger this funny dialog are at 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 25 infected defeated. It’s a great side challenge for a comedic replay!

There you have it—your roadmap to dominating Now & Then, from nailing those pivotal choices to unlocking steamy scenes and epic endings. My countless replays taught me that patience with saves and stat tracking turns frustration into triumph, whether you’re chasing Carol’s intimate moments, Naomi’s paths, or those elusive threesomes. Dive back in, experiment with kinks, and build those relationships your way. What’s your favorite route so far? Share in the comments, grab your next save file, and keep the adventure going—happy gaming!