- Steam pricePrice
- $5.99
- Release
- November 2, 2022
- Session GoalsGoals
- Modes
- Developer
- Publisher
How co-op works
Exactly two players use separate copies or devices: one explores the Past and the other the Future, without seeing the partner’s screen. They describe symbols, objects, and mechanism states, then enter information received from the opposite timeline; replaying swaps perspectives and changes puzzle solutions.
About this game
The Past Within splits two players across time itself. One person investigates a room in the past, while the other works in the future. You cannot see what your partner sees, so success depends entirely on describing every detail, symbol, and object you discover. This is true cooperative puzzle-solving from the Rusty Lake universe, built around communication rather than reflexes.
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Each timeline holds its own puzzles and cryptic mechanisms. To progress, you compare your findings over voice chat or a call, piecing together Albert Vanderboom's strange experiment. The game rewards careful observation and patient teamwork, making every shared breakthrough feel earned.
You need exactly two people playing online, ideally on separate devices or across different platforms. Sessions are story-driven and paced around discovery, so expect to talk through every step with your co-op partner. The heavy reliance on spoken clues makes this one of the most communication-intense cooperative experiences around.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do both players need to own the game?
Yes, both players need their own copy of The Past Within. Each person plays on their own device-one in the past timeline and one in the future-so you each need to purchase the game separately.
Can we play without voice chat?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. The entire game is built around describing what you see to your partner in real time. Without voice chat or a phone call, you'd have to type everything out, which would make the experience much slower and more frustrating.