The Past Within is a landmark achievement in cooperative gaming. Rusty Lake has taken their signature surreal, eerie atmosphere and split it across two perspectives—The Future and The Past. It is one of the most unique 'asymmetrical' puzzle experiences I have ever played.
Communication is the entire game. You aren't just solving puzzles on your screen; you are describing what you see to your partner so they can unlock a box on theirs. The way the two timelines interact is brilliant and often creepy. It’s a short experience, but the high quality of the puzzles and the sheer novelty of the format make it an absolute must-play for fans of the Room series or Rusty Lake's previous works. You will never look at a cubical box the same way again.
Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod
Version 1.4Mon May 06 2024
The Past Within - Update
To celebrate our 9-year anniversary as Rusty Lake, we’ve added a connection between Underground Blossom and The Past Within in the form of a secret mini-game. Check out our platforms to see how to establish a connection between The Past and The Future and unlock this secret mini-game in The Past Within.
Patch Notes 1.4
- New secret: A secret mini-game that can be accessed through information found in the latest Underground Blossom update!
- Small bug fixes
Thank you for your support!
Note: The Past Within is a co-op only game. Both players need to own a copy of the game on their own device (mobile, tablet or computer), as well as a way to communicate with each other. Play together with a friend or find a partner on our official Discord server!
The past and future cannot be explored alone! Team up with a friend and piece together the mysteries surrounding Albert Vanderboom. Communicate what you see around you to help one another solve various puzzles and explore the worlds from different perspectives!
The Past Within is the first co-op only point-and-click adventure set in the mysterious world of Rusty Lake.
Features:
▪ A co-op experience
Play together with a friend, one in The Past, the other in The Future. Work together to solve the puzzles and help Rose set her father’s plan in motion!
▪ Two worlds - Two perspectives
Both players will experience their environments in two different dimensions: 2D as well as in 3D - a first-time experience in the Rusty Lake universe!
▪ Cross-platform
As long as you can communicate with each other, you and your partner of choice can each play The Past Within on your preferred platform: Mac, PC and Nintendo Switch!
▪ Playtime & Replayability
The game contains 2 chapters and has an average play-time of 2 hours. For the full experience, we recommend replaying the game from the other perspective. Plus you can use our replayability feature for a fresh start with new solutions to all puzzles.
Requires iOS 13.1 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.Note: The Past Within is a co-op only game. Both players need to own a copy of the game on their own device (mobile, tablet or computer), as well as a way to communicate with each other. Play together with a friend or find a partner on our official Discord server!
The past and future cannot be explored alone! Team up with a friend and piece together the mysteries surrounding Albert Vanderboom. Communicate what you see around you to help one another solve various puzzles and explore the worlds from different perspectives!
The Past Within is the first co-op only point-and-click adventure set in the mysterious world of Rusty Lake.
Features:
▪ A co-op experience
Play together with a friend, one in The Past, the other in The Future. Work together to solve the puzzles and help Rose set her father’s plan in motion!
▪ Two worlds - Two perspectives
Both players will experience their environments in two different dimensions: 2D as well as in 3D - a first-time experience in the Rusty Lake universe!
▪ Cross-platform
As long as you can communicate with each other, you and your partner of choice can each play The Past Within on your preferred platform: Mac, PC and Nintendo Switch!
▪ Playtime & Replayability
The game contains 2 chapters and has an average play-time of 2 hours. For the full experience, we recommend replaying the game from the other perspective. Plus you can use our replayability feature for a fresh start with new solutions to all puzzles.
















The Past Within is the first co-op only adventure in the mysterious world of Rusty Lake. One player inhabits The Past, the other The Future. You must communicate with your partner to solve puzzles and help each other progress through different dimensions. Both players must own a copy of the game (or play on different devices) to experience the full story together.
First-of-its-kind co-op puzzle mechanic
Unsettling and immersive atmosphere
Cross-platform play (PC, Mobile, Console)
Deep lore within the Rusty Lake universe
The game does not require an internet connection to sync—it is based on verbal communication. Describe every detail, from the position of clock hands to the symbols on a note, to help your partner unlock their corresponding puzzle.
Click here and read more for a step-by-step walkthrough for The Past Within, which includes all clues, puzzle solutions, and codes for all...
Talk Android - Fri Feb 07 2025
The Past Within is an intricate and extremely well designed puzzler which will scratch the itch of escape room devotees and fans of Rusty Lake's kooky series...
Jump Dash Roll - Thu Mar 07 2024
The Past Within is Rusty Lake's foray into the co-op gaming scene, and it does so quite splendidly with a mysterious, eerie, and compelling...
TheGamer - Sat Sep 07 2024
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, July 6, 2023 - Today, Nintendo Switch players can experience The Past Within and explore The Past or The Future...
Games Press - Mon Oct 07 2024
The Past Within is a brilliant asynchronous co-op game that's one of my favorite games of 2022.
GamesRadar+ - Wed Feb 07 2024
Update [Thu 6th Jul, 2023 13:10 BST]: The intriguing-looking The Past Within is out on Switch today, and developer Rusty Lake has put out a...
Nintendo Life - Mon Oct 07 2024
The Past Within is the first title to be a co-op only game, placing one player in the past and the other in the future.
Screen Rant - Wed Feb 07 2024
Today, Rusty Lake revealed that it'll soon be bringing The Past Within to Switch. The title is scheduled to launch on July 6, 2023.
Nintendo Everything - Sat Sep 07 2024
Few games are bold enough to require co-op. Fewer still go as far as to obscure an entire half of the game from the oth…
Eurogamer.net - Wed Feb 07 2024
The Past Within is a co-op experience from Rusty Lake studio. The developer invites players on an unusual adventure. Together with a friend...
Gamepressure.com - Wed Feb 07 2024
The game is designed to be played twice. After finishing as 'The Past,' swap roles with your partner to see the story from 'The Future' perspective and solve an entirely different set of puzzles.
No, The Past Within is designed strictly for two players. You will need a way to communicate with your partner (in person or via voice chat).