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The Past Within

The Past Within Game Cover
95%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
replayability, stability
95% User Score Based on 3,418 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCTabletAndroidMac OSPhoneiPadSteam DeckMobile PlatformiPhoneWindows
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The Past Within Game Cover

About

The Past Within is a single player and multiplayer casual puzzle game with horror, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by Rusty Lake and was released on November 2, 2022. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"The Past Within is a co-op point-and-click adventure that explores the mysteries of Albert Vanderboom. Players experience two different dimensions, one in 2D and the other in 3D, to solve puzzles together. Communication and teamwork are essential as players team up, each taking on a unique perspective in the game's past and future worlds."

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The Past Within screenshot
The Past Within screenshot
The Past Within screenshot
The Past Within screenshot
The Past Within screenshot
The Past Within screenshot
The Past Within screenshot
The Past Within screenshot
The Past Within screenshot
The Past Within screenshot
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95%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,418 reviews
story117 positive mentions
stability4 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique co-op experience that encourages communication and teamwork.
  • The art and music are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The puzzles are engaging and provide a good challenge without being overly difficult.
  • The game is quite short, with only two chapters, leaving players wanting more content.
  • Some players found the puzzles to be too easy compared to previous Rusty Lake titles.
  • The requirement for two players can be a barrier for those who prefer single-player experiences.
  • story
    188 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is widely praised for its intriguing and unique narrative, blending elements of horror and mystery that engage players in cooperative gameplay. While many players appreciate the depth and creativity of the storyline, there are frequent mentions of its brevity, with several reviewers expressing a desire for longer content or additional chapters. Overall, the combination of compelling storytelling, beautiful graphics, and clever puzzles makes it a standout experience, particularly in a multiplayer context.

    • “The story is fun to discover and understand, connecting pieces and trying to figure out what's really going on.”
    • “Amazing story and graphics, the team involved deserves a prize for the creativity, I'm looking forward to the next game.”
    • “The story was intriguing and the puzzles were interesting to solve.”
    • “Once you are done with the story, that's it; there is nothing more to it.”
    • “We paid for this game but got disappointed by the short story.”
    • “Neither the story nor the puzzles were as well developed as they usually are.”
  • graphics
    49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their unique blend of 2D and 3D art styles, enhancing the overall aesthetic and atmosphere. Players appreciate the visually stunning and creatively designed environments, which contribute significantly to the game's spooky and engaging narrative. Overall, the graphics are described as beautiful, sophisticated, and integral to the immersive experience, with no notable glitches reported.

    • “The 3D art style was just so good -- you guys captured the same classic Rusty Lake vibe and enhanced it despite adding an entire dimension of complexity.”
    • “Surprisingly upgraded 3D cel-shaded graphics in different parts of the game really elevate it.”
    • “It's absolutely amazing, very well done and the graphics are beautiful.”
    • “Graphics were simple; I was kind of disappointed at how quickly the game finished, especially since I bought it and I don't normally pay for games.”
    • “The graphics, the storyline, the dedication; I seriously can't describe the emotions involved when I played the game.”
    • “There weren't many of their usual jumpscares, but the music and graphics definitely made up for that!”
  • gameplay
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is praised for its unique mechanics, smooth execution, and immersive atmosphere, particularly in cooperative modes that enhance player interaction. While many players appreciate the innovative puzzles and engaging story, some express dissatisfaction with the game's length, noting that it could benefit from more content. Overall, the combination of creative gameplay and detailed sound design contributes to a compelling experience, though some players feel the puzzles may be too easy.

    • “Amazing, smooth gameplay!”
    • “The gameplay was smooth and there were moments that surprised us.”
    • “Amazing gameplay and tricky puzzles to get you thinking.”
    • “I don't know, I just feel dissatisfied with how much gameplay there is.”
    • “The coop gameplay is not fun.”
    • “The gameplay should have been longer and more immersive.”
  • music
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is consistently praised for its beauty and ability to enhance immersion, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, complementing the game's stunning graphics and creative puzzles, making for a uniquely enjoyable experience. The combination of eerie and captivating music adds depth to the gameplay, solidifying its status as a top-tier title in terms of audio-visual quality.

    • “The music is so beautiful and it really makes you feel immersed.”
    • “The sounds, the music, the imagination is amazing!”
    • “A really good game, it looks beautiful, the soundtrack's are amazing and its overall a really fun game to play :)”
  • atmosphere
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its unique and engaging qualities, described as creepy, beautiful, and immersive. Players appreciate the combination of music, art, and environmental design that enhances the overall experience, making it ideal for cooperative play. While some find the puzzles a bit easy, the atmospheric elements contribute significantly to the enjoyment and emotional impact of the game.

    • “The best coop game out there, absolutely perfect, amazing story, creepy atmosphere and amazing puzzles. Communication is key not only in the game but also in life; this sends an amazing message to all people.”
    • “I played this game with my girlfriend and it was a really fun experience. The music, art, and atmosphere are really unique and honestly very beautiful.”
    • “What an atmospheric, eerie experience.”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered low by many users, primarily due to its short duration of around two hours. While some appreciate the ability to switch perspectives and play different roles, the general consensus is that the game could benefit from additional content to enhance replay value.

    • “It took roughly 2 hours to complete 1 run, but it also has somewhat of a replayable aspect, since you can switch perspectives; it may take longer.”
    • “I love that they thought to make it at least a little replayable.”
    • “Not to mention replay value in different roles!”
    • “I do wish there were more chapters, because the replayability value is kind of low.”
    • “So the replay value is low for me, which is just my personal preference and takes nothing away from the game.”
    • “Amazing game, took me about two hours to complete, wish it were a bit longer but there is some replayability.”
  • humor
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as quirky and effective, providing a blend of creepiness and comedy that enhances the overall experience. Players enjoy the laughter it brings during gameplay, often highlighting its ability to create memorable moments with friends and family. Overall, the game's unique and funny elements contribute positively to its appeal.

    • “I love this game; it's mind-blowing, creepy, and funny all together. I really recommend it.”
    • “Played it with my friend; it was funny, a perfect mystery.”
    • “Is a bit weird, but in a good way and funny!”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game exhibits notable stability issues, including bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as disappearing items and unresponsive mechanics. While some players enjoyed the graphics and overall experience, many reported significant lag and confusion with puzzles, often relying on walkthroughs to progress.

    • “It does have its bugs and glitches, and some puzzles can be confusing. Many times I did need to use a walkthrough.”
    • “We experienced certain glitches like chalk disappearing from the inventory although still needed, a voodoo doll pin and gem appearing twice, and the blood machine becoming uninteractive after the first set of patterns.”
    • “I had fun playing it for a while, but it got super buggy and lagged horribly on my phone for some reason.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game emotionally resonant, with many expressing a deep connection to the narrative and characters, particularly relating to themes of family and personal experience. The emotional impact is highlighted by instances of tears and heartfelt reactions, showcasing the game's ability to evoke strong feelings and create a wholesome co-op experience.

    • “I loved the experience; being a young woman has made me feel exactly like the father in the narrative.”
    • “I cried (so good).”
    • “So heart touching <3”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players appreciate the monetization model of the game, highlighting the absence of ads and emphasizing that it focuses on providing an enjoyable experience without interruptions.

    • “Played it with my brother and it was so much fun! No ads, just fun. Would recommend!”
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3h Median play time
3h Average play time
2-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

The Past Within is a casual puzzle game with horror, mystery and thriller themes.

The Past Within is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac OS, Phone and others.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing The Past Within.

The Past Within was released on November 2, 2022.

The Past Within was developed by Rusty Lake.

The Past Within has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

The Past Within is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Tick Tock: A Tale for Two, Unboxing The Cryptic Killer, Cube Escape: Paradox, Rusty Lake: Roots, Rusty Lake Paradise and others.