The Past Within

Released Nov 2022

The Past Within is the new co-op experience from Rusty Lake! Play together with someone you deem trustworthy: one in The Past, the other in The Future. Observe and communicate what you see around you. Solve the puzzles and uncover Albert Vanderboom’s plan.

94% positive · 17K reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $5.99

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Evaluation

The Past Within launched on November 2, 2022 as a complete, self-contained co-op puzzle adventure with 2 chapters. It shipped as a finished product with no roadmap for additional story content. Since launch, Rusty Lake has issued several maintenance and minor updates: bug fixes for crashes, achievements, and localization; a security patch in October 2025; and a small free secret mini-game added in April 2024 that cross-connects with another Rusty Lake title (Underground Blossom). The only DLC listed is the soundtrack, released January 18, 2023. An April 2023 announcement teased a VR version of the game, but it was framed as a very early exploration ("we are still checking the potential side effects in real life") and no further updates on that project have been posted to this game's page. The most recent news post (April 21, 2026) is an anniversary sale post that focuses on a separate upcoming Rusty Lake title, Servant of the Lake — there is no mention of new content planned for The Past Within itself. Rusty Lake has indicated their broader creative efforts are directed toward new titles. The Past Within appears to be a complete game that received minor post-launch polish but no substantial new content cycle, and no future content has been announced for it.

Evidence

Store description presents a fully scoped 2-chapter co-op game with a defined playtime of approximately 2 hours, with no mention of future content or expansions.

description source content shipped

high

A free secret mini-game was added cross-connecting The Past Within with Underground Blossom, the studio's newer title. This is the most substantial post-launch content addition.

news post · Apr 20, 2024 source content shipped

medium

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Released

The Past Within Soundtrack

Jan 2023

Media

Details

Developer

Rusty Lake

Publisher

Rusty Lake

Achievements

Platform

Windows, macOS

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Verified

Players

Multiplayer · Co-op

Puzzle Escape Room Horror Mystery Point & Click Adventure Psychological Horror Indie Local Co-Op Story Rich Atmospheric Asynchronous Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Thriller 2D

About this game

Note: The Past Within is a co-op-only game. Both players need to own a copy of the game and a way to communicate with each other. Play with a friend or find a partner on our official Discord, which is linked in the sidebar!

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 the first co-op only point-and-click adventure set in the mysterious world of Rusty Lake.

Features

A co-op experience
Play together with a friend, one in The Past, the other in The Future. Work together to solve the puzzles and help Rose set her father’s plan in motion!
Two worlds - Two perspectives
Both players will experience their environments in two different dimensions: 2D as well as in 3D - a first-time experience in the Rusty Lake universe!
Cross-platform play
As long as you can communicate with each other, you and your partner of choice can each play The Past Within on your preferred platform: PC, Mac, iOS, Android and (very soon) Nintendo Switch!
Playtime & Replayability
The game contains 2 chapters and has an average play-time of 2 hours. For the full experience, we recommend replaying the game from the other perspective. Plus you can use our replayability feature for a fresh start with new solutions to all puzzles.