The Past Within

Co-op point-and-click adventure with puzzles spanning past and future

Rusty Lake · Released Nov 2, 2022

Reviews: Very Positive; 95% of 17K
Recent reviews: Very Positive; 95% of 84 in 30 days
Playing now: 37; right now
Steam Deck: Verified
Last update: 11 months ago; Oct 16, 2025

Free demo available, 0 playing it now: get the demo.

What is The Past Within?

In this co-op-only point-and-click adventure set in the world of Rusty Lake, one player explores the past and the other the future. Across two chapters, they examine 2D and 3D scenes and share clues to solve puzzles while helping Rose carry out her father’s plan. Each player needs a copy and a way to communicate.

For you if...

+you enjoy talking through clues with a partner
+you prefer short escape-room sessions
+you like eerie mysteries with light horror elements

Not for you if...

−you want to solve the puzzles alone
−you want puzzles that require more deduction than exchanging clues

What players say

95% of 16,858 reviews are positive · 95% of 84 in the last 30 days

Players praise the teamwork between the two perspectives and the eerie atmosphere. Some say the puzzles rely too much on relaying codes, feel repetitive or too easy, and end too soon.

Screenshots and trailer

The Past Within system requirements

As published by the developer.

Minimum

OS: Windows 8+
Processor: 2.4GHz Dual Core
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 / ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
Memory: 1 GB RAM
Storage: 1 GB available space
DirectX: Version 10

PC version details

DRM, required accounts, controller support and Steam features.

DRM: None declared on Steam
Controller: Keyboard and mouse
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Achievements: 24
Steam features: Cloud saves, Family Sharing

Steam Deck: Verified

All functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration
Shows Steam Deck controller icons
In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck

Multiplayer and co-op

Languages

Full audio: English. Text only: French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Vietnamese, Portuguese - Portugal, Spanish - Latin America, Romanian, Finnish, Ukrainian.