Updated Mar 24, 2026
Updated Mar 24, 2026
The Past Within
Fans of atmospheric, surreal puzzle games and point-and-click adventures who enjoy collaborative, communication-heavy social gaming experiences.
What Is The Past Within?
The Past Within is a premium, co-op-only point-and-click adventure developed by Rusty Lake. It distinguishes itself by requiring two players on separate devices to communicate and solve puzzles in a shared, surreal narrative universe. By forcing a collaborative experience where players occupy different dimensions (2D and 3D), the game creates a unique social gaming dynamic that is rare in the mobile puzzle market.
Targeted at fans of atmospheric, narrative-driven puzzle games, the app has successfully carved out a niche for social, communication-heavy gameplay. With a strong 4.8+ star rating, the game is highly regarded for its art style and innovative mechanics. While it currently holds a solid position in niche puzzle categories, its mandatory co-op requirement acts as both its greatest differentiator and a primary friction point for solo players.
What users think recently
Media Gallery
Key Features
Requires two players on separate devices to communicate and solve puzzles together, with no single-player mode.
Players experience the game in two different dimensions (2D and 3D) simultaneously, a first for the Rusty Lake series.
Allows players to connect and play together across PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch.
Encourages replaying the game from the partner's perspective with new puzzle solutions for a fresh experience.
Classic puzzle-solving mechanics set within the established, surreal Rusty Lake universe.
Recent User Sentiment
What Users Love
This was such a fun way to spend time with a friend.
My girlfriend and I sat next to each other on the couch on our iPads helping each other solve puzzles.
The art is so clean and eerie, the sound design is a highlight.
One of the best puzzle games I have ever played with a very emerging story.
Pain Points
I wish it was longer or had way more chapters!
The game is good but itβs too short.
I don't want to play games with a "online buddy" and would have preferred that be explained before purchasing
Why canβt a play a game I payed for by myself?
High confidence Β· 99 reviews analyzed
App Store Performance
| Category | Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7012 | Paid | #12 | NEW |
| 7002 | Paid | #15 | NEW |
| Overall | Paid | #98 | NEW |
| Games | Paid | #98 | βΌ21 |
The Past Within Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unique co-op mechanics
- Strong brand identity
- Excellent cross-platform support
- High-quality art/sound
Cons
- Short game length
- No solo mode
- High barrier to entry
Market Outlook
Growth Opportunities
- DLC/Expansion content
- Buddy pass system
- Discord community integration
Market Threats
- Competitors adding solo-friendly co-op modes
- Partner availability churn
The Bottom Line
The Past Within is a thrilling games app that is a paid app. With a 4.8/5 rating from 54.1K reviews, it thrills its users from users. Users particularly appreciate co-op gameplay experience, though short game length remains a common concern.
Best for: Fans of atmospheric, surreal puzzle games and point-and-click adventures who enjoy collaborative, communication-heavy social gaming experiences.
App Details & Pricing
Model: paid
Premium, one-time purchase model that requires both players to own a copy, effectively doubling the revenue per co-op session.
iOS Version
1.4
Android Version
7.9.0.1
Release Date
Nov 2, 2022
iOS Price
$2.99
Android Price
$2.99
Developer
Rusty Lake