The Past Within

A co-op adventure

Ratings

Age

13+

Games

Languages

English

Latest Version 1.4

Mon 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!

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.

Dinsun Expert Review

Our Expert Score

95/100

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.

Dinsun reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Features

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

Tips & Walkthrough

Communication is Key

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.

Gameplays

Two Perspectives

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.

Screenshot

Q&A

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).

Ratings & Reviews

Rusty Lake for Two

Tue Dec 27 2022 bashaliora

I'll start by saying I've been obsessed with the entire Rusty Lake library for years. I pretty much only play point & click puzzle adventure games and Rusty Lake is at the very top of my list of must-play games. With that being said, I've tried to convince my husband that even though he's not as into puzzle games as I am, that he would love RL -- from the Twin Peaks vibe to the deep, twisty family lore, it's right up his alley if he'd just give it a try. Well, cue The Past Within. We're constantly looking for co-op/2-player games, from video games to table games, and good ones are harder to find than you'd think. We played The Past Within twice, all in one day. He couldn't stop talking about it and when I woke up the following morning, I found him playing Seasons on the couch, already having downloaded the entire series of games. He puzzled his way all the way through, and now he's just as excited and anxious for the next installment as I am! The Past Within was an ingenious take on multiplayer co-op puzzling, and was just as fun & entertaining for a Rusty Lake & puzzle-obsessed nerd as it was for a newbie to the genre. The communication aspect was always fun, never frustrating, and sharing the unique experiences each of us was having was a blast. Amazing work to the Rusty Lake team, thanks for another beautiful game! Fingers crossed the wait for the next game won't be long 🐦

IN AWE!!! - BEST GAME EVER!!!

Fri Mar 27 2026 Blue_Mojo_Bottle

I came here looking for a co-op puzzle game and instead found myself staring at what I can only describe as a 3-course meal of Victorian flesh and existential dread, with an ambient soundtrack that made me feel like I was being slowly digested by something with excellent taste. My wife and I sat down expecting a fun little game and stood up as different people with questions about our bloodlines. The atmosphere is immaculate. The sound design is doing things that should be reported. The artwork is so gorgeous and so deeply wrong that it felt rude to look at it without a reservation. The puzzles are smart without being cruel, the lore is rich and completely unhinged in the best way, and somehow you and your partner end up doing real teamwork over what is essentially a dead man’s cryptic to-do list. If you have not played this, you are eating fast food while a Michelin-star kitchen is right next door. 5 stars. We’re already ordering dessert.

Nobody does it like Rusty Lake

Thu Nov 03 2022 Joy1295

If Escape Rooms needed a definition, that would hands down be Rusty Lake. The graphics, details, the eerie music make the game so difficult to put down. It’s got just the right amount of creepy to make it down right addicting. I’ve paid and played all the Rusty Lake games, and I was so sad when I finished all of them. So when I saw that Rusty Lake finally came out with with a new game, I’ve never double-clicked my lock button so fast. This new co-player game was ingenius. I’m doing long distance with my girlfriend so we’re really limited on how we spend time together, but with The Past Within we had so much fun. I especially was amazed at the new 3D graphics and I LOVED LOVED LOVED that the characters and themes from past games were also in the Past Within as well. Rusty Lake, please don’t stop what ya’ll are doing and I can’t wait for the next chapter.

Wow, good game!

Tue Nov 08 2022 wall_licker14

My friend and I had an awesome experience playing this game. We got stuck on some of the puzzles and had to google the answer to some of the puzzles, but overall it was a very fun experience trying to find the solution to these things. The storyline was immersive and incredibly easy to follow, it kept me waiting for the next thing to pop up. I always thought there would be a jumpscare around every corner, but there never was and I am incredibly thankful for that. The game was advertised to be 2 hours, yet we spent around 6 hours on it, so atleast we got our money's worth haha. A lot of people are complaining about the co-op being required but it's the base premise of the game. It's executed incredibly and it's so fun to play this game with friends! 10/10, would recommend

Unique co-op experience and perfect addition to the Rusty Lake series

Thu Nov 03 2022 Em.Mercury

I’ll start by saying I absolutely love every single Rusty Lake game. I’ve played them all at least twice, my favorites even more. Like many of you, I’ve been eagerly awaiting a new game. Also like many of you, I was super bummed when I heard it would be a co-op game. I typically play games when I want alone time. That being said… I kept an open mind and convinced my husband to play it with me. We had SO much fun. I filled him in on a little bit of the back story and it was so fun to hear him audibly gasp at different elements of the game and creeptastic moments that I’ve gotten so accustomed to. I don’t know how it would be playing online with a stranger, but if you have someone in your life who you trust and who is intelligent and can think outside the box do whatever it takes to convince them to play with you. You won’t be disappointed. My only complaint is that I wish we could have many more chapters/installments because I can’t wait to play more! We were able to beat the game in one sitting. Thanks Rusty Lake! I love this unique addition to my favorite series!

BEST CO-OP PUZZLE GAME

Sat Nov 05 2022 kmin233

Worth the money!!!! Me and my friend played this in one go and we enjoyed every bit of the game! It was very fun and at the same time quite challenging. The puzzles will make you think but also easy enough to be solved. I like puzzles like this that’s not too hard on the brain but also not too easy and it’s in the middle. I like the thrill too!! Fair share of horror vibes. Please developers, make more co-op puzzle solving games like this, I beg you!! This is too good! I just love the concept and everything about this. A MUST DOWNLOAD GAME if you’re into solving medium level puzzles with a bestie. PLEASE MAKE MORE CO-OP PUZZLE GAMES :)) thank you for this! If you’re reading this to see if it’s with paying for. This is your sign, DOWNLOAD IT NOW—you won’t regret it.

Please make another co-op game

Sat Aug 26 2023 Sof the Oaf

I have loved the rusty lake universe from the beginning, and I absolutely loved playing with another person. I replayed all the games to prepare for this game and 10/10 would recommend. It was amazing bringing another person into the universe that I love. Please please make another co-op game. It really was able to help me bond with a good friend across state lines, especially being sick and bedridden. You have no idea how much it made a difference. It gave us a good reason to spend time together virtually. Talking on the phone alone is great, but having a fun, immersive game with a goal was a whole ‘nother level. No, a Mother level, like mother ship or a mother land. Something so powerful that words cannot describe it.

never written a review but WOW

Sun Jul 09 2023 Dobbys_SockFTW

p h e n o m e n a l game. me and my girlfriend stayed up all night together playing. i’ve never written a review for any app or game i’ve ever had but this game is just amazing. the co-op is such a great idea and the execution of it is incredible in this game and you don’t even have to connect devices. genius. love the graphics changing in each chapter. love the fact that i can even say “each chapter” most escape room games i play are short and frustrating but this is done so well everything just flows with the perfect amount of challenge. the only warning that i’ll give about this game is that it makes hours feel like minutes. i looked up at the clock at it was somehow 1:32 am. great. game.