Now & Then follows Jack Brooks, a widower who lives in a post-apocalyptic world with his adopted teenage daughter, Carol. The narrative shifts between two timelines: the present, where Jack and Carol navigate a world ravaged by a global pandemic, and the past, where players experience Jack’s journey of adopting Carol and their growing bond before society collapsed. As they struggle with survival in a new, harsh reality, players will explore the challenges of parenthood in a broken world. The game reveals the emotional depth of Jack’s transformation from grieving widower to protective father, and the profound impact the collapse has on their relationship. Survival isn’t just about battling external threats, but also reconciling the past with the new life they’ve built together.
Gameplay:
1. Dual-Timeline Exploration: Players alternate between two distinct timelines. In the present, players manage survival and encounter challenges related to food, shelter, and safety in a dystopian world. In the past, players explore Jack’s life before the collapse, focusing on the process of adopting Carol and how they build their relationship amidst the chaos of the pandemic. These timelines provide both emotional depth and a dynamic gameplay experience.
2. Resource Management & Survival: The survival aspect is key in the present timeline. Players must gather resources, make tough decisions on who to trust, and fend off threats from both human and environmental dangers. The consequences of these decisions are felt in the relationships between Jack and Carol, as well as with other survivors they may encounter.
3. Character Growth and Dialogue Choices: As Jack and Carol’s relationship evolves, players influence their emotional growth through choices in dialogue and actions. The dynamic between them is shaped by the player’s decisions—whether Jack becomes a nurturing father figure or struggles to bridge the gap between his grief and fatherhood. These interactions drive the emotional core of the game.
Game Features:
1. Emotional Storytelling: Now & Then emphasizes emotional depth through its narrative. Players will feel the weight of Jack’s loss and the challenges of raising Carol in a dangerous world. The game weaves personal growth with survival elements, giving players a deeper connection to the characters’ journey.
2. Immersive Worldbuilding: The game world is richly detailed, from the decaying remnants of civilization to the intimate moments between Jack and Carol. Players will explore abandoned cities, forests, and shelters, scavenging for supplies while uncovering clues about the pandemic and its aftermath. Every corner tells part of the story of a world on the brink of collapse.
3. Branching Story Paths: Decisions made in both timelines influence the outcome of the story. Whether Jack takes a more protective or distant approach to fatherhood affects how Carol grows as a person, and how they interact with other survivors. The game features multiple endings based on the choices players make, allowing for replayability and different perspectives on the story.
Game Tips:
1. Balance Survival and Relationships: While survival is crucial, don’t neglect the emotional aspect of the game. Fostering a strong relationship with Carol by engaging in meaningful dialogue and actions will help Jack remain mentally resilient in the face of challenges.
2. Prioritize Resources Wisely: Scarcity is a constant in the post-apocalyptic world. Decide whether to spend limited resources on food, medicine, or weapons based on immediate needs and long-term survival plans. The right choice can mean the difference between life and death for Jack and Carol.
3. Pay Attention to the Past: Clues from the past timeline provide insight into the characters’ motivations and the world’s downfall. These moments offer context and can guide survival decisions in the present. Keep track of these events as they influence how the characters react to current threats.
