The Past Within

About

"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."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,114 reviews

story182 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

Engaging co-op gameplay that emphasizes communication between players.
Unique blend of 2D and 3D graphics, enhancing the overall experience.
Creepy atmosphere and intriguing story that ties into the Rusty Lake lore.

Short playtime, typically around 2 hours, which may leave players wanting more.
Puzzles are often too easy and repetitive, lacking the challenge found in previous Rusty Lake games.
Limited replayability as the differences between the two modes (Bee and Butterfly) are minimal.

story
416 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
52%
4%
The game's story is described as intriguing and atmospheric, often blending elements of horror and mystery, but many players feel it lacks depth and complexity compared to previous installments in the Rusty Lake series. While the cooperative gameplay enhances the storytelling experience, some reviewers noted that the narrative can feel short and disconnected, leaving them wanting more. Overall, the game is appreciated for its unique storytelling approach and engaging puzzles, but it may not satisfy those seeking a deeply developed plot.
- “The storytelling, though subtle, captivates with its enigmatic charm.”
- “The use of environmental storytelling adds an additional layer to the narrative, making exploration a rewarding endeavor.”
- “The story is fascinating and enjoyable both by people who have played all previous games and by people who are new to the franchise.”
- “The main plot and the ending seem totally disconnected.”
- “The story doesn't really make sense, but there isn't much of a story to begin with and it doesn't really try to make sense either.”
- “The story is predictable -- actually there's no story at all.”
gameplay
158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
68%
3%
The gameplay is characterized by its innovative cooperative mechanics that allow players to engage without needing an internet connection, enhancing the overall experience. While the puzzles are generally straightforward and sometimes repetitive, the unique blend of 2D and 3D elements, along with the emphasis on communication, provides an enjoyable and creative gameplay loop. However, many players noted the short duration and lack of challenge, leading to a mixed reception regarding its depth and replayability.
- “The mechanics were really intriguing, considering that you and your partner do not have to connect online to play together.”
- “The gameplay and the puzzles are fun and well designed.”
- “The cooperative nature of gameplay is truly absorbing and fascinating, with the story being somewhat on the same level, as in other games in the series.”
- “While the puzzle difficulty initially presented an engaging tutorial-like experience, this positive start quickly devolved into a consistently lackluster gameplay.”
- “It felt as if the developers were just trying to stretch the gameplay to hit the two-hour mark, appearing more as an attempt to avoid refunds than a commitment to delivering a meaningful gaming experience.”
- “The main story is told within the first 5 minutes of gameplay and the two of you have to sit through completely irrelevant and monotonous 'puzzles' to finish the game.”
graphics
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The graphics of the game have received a generally positive reception, praised for their unique blend of minimalist 2D and immersive 3D art styles that enhance the eerie atmosphere and storytelling. While many players appreciate the beautiful visuals and sound design, some critiques highlight that certain 2D elements feel outdated compared to the more polished 3D graphics. Overall, the game's aesthetic is considered a significant strength, contributing to its engaging gameplay and thematic depth.
- “The game's visual aesthetics, characterized by a minimalist yet captivating art style, complement the mysterious theme effectively.”
- “Deep lore, the graphics are beautiful, the implementation of 3D is perfect and the atmosphere is perfect to get transported into the world of Rusty Lake.”
- “The art style, the whole 'not inviting' your friend, and having to relay what options to choose was such a nice change.”
- “Graphically, The Past Within falls short.”
- “While the 3D elements boast commendable stylization, the 2D aesthetics feel reminiscent of a dated 2008 Flash game – a design choice that would have been questionable even in that era.”
- “The main cons are that the initial room feels quite empty and the graphics aren't quite up to par; this is mostly fixed in the latter parts of the game though.”
atmosphere
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
30%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as eerie, creepy, and immersive, effectively enhancing the overall experience with its intriguing narrative and visual design. Players appreciate the combination of unsettling motifs, a subdued color palette, and atmospheric soundtracks that create a sense of tension and curiosity throughout the gameplay. While the puzzles may be relatively easy, the unique atmosphere and deep lore keep players engaged and invested in the mysterious world of Rusty Lake.
- “The past within weaves a mysterious narrative, enveloping players in an atmospheric embrace.”
- “The atmosphere was amazing, effectively building up tension and creepiness.”
- “The atmosphere is incredible, the music is captivating, and the anxiety during timed tasks is intense and rewarding.”
- “The atmosphere the game sets is creepy.”
- “There are some familiar faces, but I am somewhat missing the depth and atmosphere that previous titles have offered.”
- “The atmosphere is like no other, being lowkey disturbing and with a mysterious story that leaves room for interpretation.”
replayability
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
68%
14%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the option to switch roles and experience different puzzle solutions, while others feel that the overall experience is too short and lacks significant replay value. Many reviews suggest that while there is some potential for replaying the game, particularly by choosing different character paths, the repetitive nature of the puzzles diminishes the incentive to play multiple times. Overall, it offers enough variety for at least one additional playthrough, but players may find the experience less engaging upon subsequent attempts.
- “A single play-through takes about 2-3 hours, and you can redo it as each player's side has challenges of its own that are unique to their side, so there is some replay value to be had at least for a second play-through.”
- “I like the replayability; you can be a bee or a butterfly and redo it from the opposite end (for example, play first as past/bee and then as future/butterfly).”
- “This is a truly unique co-op experience unlike most typical puzzle-type games; while it can be short, there is loads of replayability with this one.”
- “Only downside is the lack of replay value, but definitely worth what I paid for.”
- “I enjoyed playing through it with a friend, but the game doesn't offer much replay value nor a deep story or complex mechanics - you're essentially taking turns communicating instructions to your partner to progress through the game.”
- “All in all a very, very good game to have fun with a friend, the only thing I can say that I don't really like is the replayability; you can really only play it once and you can't really replay it because it's repetitive.”
music
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
77%
16%
7%
The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to create tension and complement the eerie visuals, with many noting its captivating and creative design. Overall, the sound design, including ambient sounds and dubbing, contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature.
- “The sound design, featuring subtle cues and a haunting soundtrack, contributes significantly to the game's immersive qualities.”
- “The atmosphere is incredible, the music (as always) slaps, the anxiety you feel during timed tasks is so intense and so rewarding.”
- “The artwork is stunning, the music is hauntingly beautiful.”
- “The sad thing here is that the initial premise holds a lot of potential with the clever method of co-op puzzles without actual connection required, different perspectives for different players, initially mysterious setting, the okay but serviceable graphics, music, and sound effects, and so on.”
- “At one point, the player in the future starts playing some beat-heavy music.”
- “I preferred music from The White Door, but this one is still great.”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of creepy and funny, often arising from cooperative gameplay and miscommunication between players. Many reviewers found the experience hilarious, especially when navigating puzzles together, though some noted that the humor can depend on the partner's engagement. Overall, the game is appreciated for its lighthearted moments and amusing interactions, making it a fun choice for playing with friends.
- “It's creepy and funny at the same time.”
- “My fiancé and I loved it, and it created such hilarious frustration at some parts.”
- “It was very funny to cooperate to solve the puzzles together!”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of creepiness and wholesomeness, evoking a range of feelings from fear to warmth. Players report experiencing intense emotions, including fear and joy, with some expressing a desire for a more impactful ending. Overall, the game successfully combines dark themes with heartwarming moments, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “I wish the ending was a bit more emotional than mysterious, but it's a well-made game and I had fun.”
- “Story: the story is dark, yet heartwarming all at once.”
- “This game was very wholesome and beautiful.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players consistently find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring excessive effort to progress. Many reviews highlight that the repetitive nature of tasks, such as relaying information or solving puzzles, detracts from the overall enjoyment, making it feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It was not fun; it was tedious.”
- “Overall, it was a bit tedious at times with trying to relay information to the other person.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate concerns about the game's monetization strategy, with players feeling misled by advertising that promised features that are not present. The perception of a lack of genuine content and a focus on profit suggests that some view the game as a potential cash grab.
- “This is starting to smell like a cash grab.”
- “Misadvertising: all this future and past stuff is non-existent.”
- “Misadvertising: there's no 'plan' to uncover.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues, including frequent glitches that disrupt gameplay and hinder progress towards achievements. These technical problems, such as unresponsive elements and erratic behavior, detract from the overall experience.
- “My playtime would be shorter if not for the glitches.”
- “Sometimes it just glitches out and doesn't land where you need it for the achievement.”
- “Sometimes their future cube glitches out and the screen won't move forward when they hit enter.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations, leading to an inconsistent experience for users.