The Past Within

 PC
The Past Within Image
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

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  • Summary: 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 a    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 a multiplayer point-and-click adventure by the creators of the Cube Escape & Rusty Lake series.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Xbox Tavern
    Nov 14, 2022
    85
    We’ve been wanting to see more co-op puzzle titles and The Past Within is a fantastic entry to the genre. Smart pacing and an interesting premise and set-up make for an evening well spent with a friend.
  2. GameWatcher
    Nov 2, 2022
    80
    A short, sharp cooperative puzzler with a fun time-spanning twist. The Past Within sees Rusty Lake go all out to make the purest kind of cooperative experience possible, and ends up doing a fine job.
  3. Vandal
    Nov 8, 2022
    80
    The Past Within surrounds us with its dark fantasy to create this cooperative puzzle game.
  4. DarkZero
    Nov 14, 2022
    70
    If you and a friend or partner are into this cosy niche corner of gaming and are happy to spend an afternoon burning your brains together, The Past Within is a must play. Mostly because it’s good, but also sort of because there aren’t many other options that you likely haven’t already exhausted. If I could get my way, I’d be playing new games just like this weekly. But the sad truth is they’re a rarity, and we should cherish them when they’re here. So make sure to get comfortable, grab a relaxing drink, and hang out with your ally on a discord chat or over the phone. There’s no rush, no time limits or anything. Just enjoy what makes these types of teamwork-focused games so special by spending time with someone you care about and you’re sure to have a great time.
  5. SECTOR.sk
    Jan 12, 2023
    65
    The Past Within offers a nice co-op idea of two players trying to solve a big mystery in a time loop. It has a great technical state, atmosphere, and original puzzles. However, it still falls down flat due to the pure fact that I saw a game like this before. Just in a little different but better and cheaper form.
  6. Edge Magazine
    Nov 5, 2022
    60
    Rusty Lake is smart enough to keep things brief. [Issue#378, p.114]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Screen Rant
    Nov 2, 2022
    50
    Though Rusty Lake: The Past Within has many of the same themes of a horror video game, it's not an outright scary title. Its cartoony graphics make sure that nothing ever gets too disturbing, and some moments meant to be spooky actually look quite silly, but the game's soundtrack does a good job of setting a generally eerie tone throughout. The Past Within is quite short, with its two chapters clocking in at about two hours total, although there is some replayability to be had via the ability to choose between "Butterfly" or "Bee" mode, which changes the answers to the puzzles. Overall, at the price of only a few dollars, Rusty Lake: The Past Within will likely be a worthwhile enough experience for long-time fans of the series, but players not familiar with the story or those seeking a challenge should look elsewhere.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. svonton
    Nov 26, 2022
    7
    simple but interest puzzle game based on cooperation of two players by voice. whole game is kinda short and some of puzzles (probably all ofsimple but interest puzzle game based on cooperation of two players by voice. whole game is kinda short and some of puzzles (probably all of them) is to easy, also its useful to note that visually part is interest interlacement of 2D and 3D points of view. the last thing that disapointment that author offer to switch roles or pick another root after beating the game for changing puzzles but probably it no big difference beetwen them so one playthrough will be enough to see all aspects of the game.… Expand
  2. korku
    Nov 15, 2022
    6
    It's a good idea, but it has flaws. I think the puzzles weren't too difficult and weren't fun. We couldn't go further than writing code andIt's a good idea, but it has flaws. I think the puzzles weren't too difficult and weren't fun. We couldn't go further than writing code and password. I thought Rusty Lake would put up nicer puzzles. It was still a good experience but lagging behind other Rusty Lake games.… Expand

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