That's right -- season 1 (version 1.55) is the one to get. The season nomenclature is really confusing because it suggests the new game is a continuation of the old one. It isn't at all; it's actually a complete remake which significantly changes events from the previous game.
I personally recommend skipping Follower. I just don't think it's particularly good and it doesn't have many of the elements (like lots of branching and the ability to roleplay the MC as something other than a complete asshole) that make NCC great. I've never been able to finish it myself. When you start playing New Coral City, you'll have the option to see a recap of Follower that will give you the background information you need...but don't judge the game too harshly based on the recap alone. (Believe it or not, I actually quit NCC immediately after seeing the recap the first time I played it!) There are also a couple of flashback scenes from Follower later in the game.
By the way, the remake is apparently still being worked on. The dev posted an
update here last month. He's a real colorful character -- it's very much like him to let his Patreon page get covered in cobwebs while giving the pirates of F95zone the inside scoop on what's going on. How many devs come right out and say they don't
need more patrons? HoneyGames is basically the complete opposite of noping when it comes to how he treats his supporters. Is it weird that I can't help but like them both?