Now & Then

Master Choices, Scenes, and Secrets in This Gripping Visual Novel

Ever stumbled upon a visual novel that hooks you with intense choices and steamy encounters? That’s Now & Then for me – a game where every decision shapes your path through relationships with Naomi, Sydney, Alice, and Carol. I remember my first playthrough, fumbling stats and missing that pivotal threesome scene, only to reload saves in frustration. This guide dives deep into Now & Then gameplay, from chapter breakdowns to unlocking hidden animations and pregnancies in endings. Whether you’re chasing love routes or gallery completions, I’ve got actionable tips to maximize your experience. Let’s turn those regrets into triumphs!

Unlocking the Best Paths in Now & Then

Let me paint you a picture of frustration. 🤦‍♂️ On my very first run through Now & Then, I was dead-set on seeing a particular, legendary scene—the Naomi Sydney threesome. I’d built what I thought was a perfect rapport with both characters. Yet, when I hit the pivotal moment in Now & Then chapter 16, nothing happened. The scene just… didn’t trigger. I was gutted. I’d wasted hours on a save file that led to a dead end, all because I missed one crucial, hidden requirement early on.

That experience taught me one thing: Now & Then choices aren’t just dialogue fluff. They are a precise, interlocking system that determines everything from who loves you to how the story ends. This chapter is the guide I wish I’d had. We’re going to break down the exact paths to unlock the best scenes, secure the love interests you want, and navigate the game’s most talked-about moments—including that elusive threesome and the surprising game endings pregnancy reveals. No more guesswork. Let’s master this gripping visual novel together. 💪

How Do Choices Impact Naomi and Sydney Relationships?

Your journey with Naomi and Sydney is the emotional core of the game, and getting it right requires understanding they are on two slightly different tracks. Naomi’s path is about consistent, dedicated affection, while Sydney’s is about building a deep friendship that can blossom into more. Mess up the balance, and you’ll lock yourself out of their combined route.

The single biggest mistake I made? Not understanding Naomi’s bi preference. To even have a chance at the Naomi Sydney threesome, you must confirm Naomi is interested in women during a key conversation in Chapter 15. If you miss this, the door slams shut, no matter your stats. It’s a make-or-break moment disguised as casual chat.

Furthermore, the game uses a hidden “route flag” system. You can’t just max out “Like” points. You must make specific narrative choices that steer the story toward a polyamorous dynamic. Picking solely romantic options with Naomi to the exclusion of Sydney’s friendship, or vice-versa, will narrow your path. You have to nurture both relationships in tandem, which often means making choices that feel neutral but are secretly building that foundation.

Here’s a bulletproof, step-by-step choice path to set the foundation for both main relationships:

• For Naomi’s Route: You must commit early. When given the choice between approaching Naomi or Carol in the beginning, choose Naomi. This gives you +1 Love with her (and -1 with Carol, so choose wisely!). Consistently support her, spend time with her, and choose romantic or physically intimate options when they appear. Her path is direct but requires exclusive focus if you want her as a primary lover.
• For Sydney’s Route: Sydney’s is a slow burn. Focus on being a dependable, kind leader. Choose options that show compassion and include her. Her “Love” score builds more slowly than “Like,” so be patient. The key to unlock love routes Now & Then with Sydney is reaching a high Like score (10+) before attempting any romantic advance post-Chapter 16.
• For the Threesome Path: This is the ultimate test of your balancing skills. You need high Love with Naomi and high Like with Sydney by Chapter 15. You must have unlocked Naomi’s bi curiosity in that chapter. Then, in Now & Then chapter 16, when the opportunity arises, you’ll have the option to include Sydney. If you’ve met all the hidden flags, the legendary scene plays.
• For Carol’s Route: A quieter but deeply rewarding path. Choosing to approach her at the start sets you on this course. Be her rock, offer emotional support, and engage with her personal storyline. It often conflicts with aggressively pursuing Naomi early on.

Remember, the Now & Then choices you make in the first five chapters echo all the way to the end. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” save file for seeing everything. You need dedicated runs.

What Are the Keys to Chapter 16 Threesome Scenes?

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the game’s most famous sequence. Unlocking the Naomi Sydney threesome isn’t about last-minute decisions; it’s about a checklist you’ve been filling out since the mid-game. Here’s the actionable breakdown I discovered after my disastrous first playthrough:

1. The Chapter 15 Save Requirement: This is non-negotiable. You must have a save file at the start of Chapter 15. Why? Because this is where you confirm Naomi’s interest. If you only have a save at Chapter 16, it’s already too late. I learned this the hard way. 😤
2. The Bi Preference Conversation: During Chapter 15, you will have a private talk with Naomi. Specific dialogue choices here will allow you to ask about or discover her attraction to women. You must trigger this revelation. It’s the key that unlocks the potential for the Now & Then chapter 16 event.
3. Stat Checkpoints: Before entering Chapter 16, your stats should ideally be:
   • Naomi’s Love: At least 8+ (the higher, the better).
   • Sydney’s Like: At least 10+.
   • Your relationship with Sydney must be “Close Friends” or better.
4. The Trigger Choice: In Now & Then chapter 16, during an intimate moment with Naomi, a new option will appear only if the above conditions are met. It will be something along the lines of inviting Sydney to join. Selecting this is your final step.

Pro Tip: Don’t neglect the Chapter 11 updates! The Developer’s Cut added over 430 new shots, animations, and scenes that flesh out character relationships. Playing through this enhanced content can provide additional context and subtle relationship points that help towards your goals. It’s not just eye candy; it’s foundational work for your Now & Then choices.

Once you finally see it, you’ll understand why it’s so sought-after. It’s a beautifully rendered scene that feels like a natural culmination of the relationship you’ve built. And yes, it unlocks some very special renders in the final gallery. 🎨

Mastering Endings: Pregnancies and Love Routes Explained

The endings in Now & Then are where your Now & Then choices crystallize into lasting consequences. The most talked-about element is the game endings pregnancy reveal. This doesn’t happen for every character, and it’s directly tied to who your main lover is at the story’s conclusion.

If you have successfully secured a primary love route—be it Naomi, Alice, or, in some iterations, Carol—the ending sequence may include a revelation or time-skip scene where your partner reveals she is pregnant. This is a definitive “happy ending” flag for that route. It’s the game’s way of showing a committed, long-term future. For Sydney, pregnancy is something that can occur during the later chapters of the game itself, depending on your choices with her, adding a layer of ongoing drama to the plot.

Speaking of Sydney join conditions, if you want her to become a permanent part of your group’s core romantic dynamic after the major events, here’s the concise checklist:
* Have 10+ Like with her.
* Have experienced a romantic scene with her.
* Make the correct narrative choice to invite her to stay permanently when the option is presented (usually after Chapter 16).
* Do not have irreparably low stats with other key characters you wish to keep.

Now, let’s talk about a technical lifesaver: Alice stats persistence. Alice is a unique case. If you’re aiming for her route, you might find her stat requirements particularly tricky. Luckily, the game’s persistence system can be your friend—or your enemy. Your relationship stats with Alice are remembered across playthroughs in a dedicated file. This means you can build up points with her over multiple runs. If you get frustrated, using the developer mode (accessible through a specific code) can let you manually adjust stats to test paths, but use it sparingly to avoid ruining the sense of achievement!

Finally, the ultimate reward for your diligence: the replay unlocks. Once you complete an ending, you gain the ability to jump to any chapter from the gallery, carrying over your stats and choices. This is the perfect tool for mopping up missed scenes, especially those in Now & Then chapter 16. The final Director’s Cut package ties all this together, putting every animation and variant scene neatly in the gallery for you to revisit.

To visualize how your choices lead to specific futures, check out this breakdown of the primary love routes:

The path to mastering Now & Then is one of careful planning and passionate curiosity. It’s about learning from missed opportunities (like my first threesome-less run) and applying that knowledge. Use multiple saves, pay attention to the Chapter 11 updates, and don’t be afraid to replay. Every choice is a brushstroke on the final picture of your story. Now go back, load that Chapter 15 save, and build the ending you deserve. Your perfect playthrough is waiting. ✨

There you have it – my blueprint to conquering Now & Then, from nailing those tricky threesomes to securing perfect endings with Naomi, Sydney, and beyond. I went from save-scumming newbie to gallery master, and you can too with these insights. Dive back in, experiment with bi settings and Ch15 saves, and uncover every animation the Director’s Cut promises. What’s your favorite route? Share in the comments, grab the latest update, and let’s keep the conversation going – your next playthrough awaits!