The Past Within

The Past Within The Past Within is a cooperative point-and-click puzzle where two players communicate across time. Explore branching mysteries, solve puzzles together, and reveal the truth behind Albert Vanderbohm’s sudden death.

The Past Within

In a mystery where yesterday and tomorrow overlap, how will you piece everything together? The Past Within is a point-and-click puzzle game designed to be played with a partner: one player in the future and one player in the past. Work side by side to uncover the story, explore branching moments, and follow the clues that lead to the truth behind Albert Vanderbohm—Ross’s father and the protagonist you play as.

The game is built around cooperation. Even though you’re living in different eras, you’ll still need to coordinate, communicate through communication gateways (two devices inside the game), and solve puzzles together. Ultimately, you and your friend will help fulfill your father’s final wish and uncover what caused his sudden death.

Features

Background

The heart of The Past Within is the idea that the past and the future can’t be uncovered by a single person. The same individual exists as two separate “versions” when viewed at different points in time. What if one of those versions could reach out—communicate and connect—so both sides could jointly reshape what happens to a person (and everyone around them)?

In this game, you’ll be split into two timelines: one player stays in the past, while the other remains in the present. Working across time and distance, both players explore the mysteries surrounding Albert Vanderbohm, Ross’s father. You’ll exchange information through the communication gateways (the two in-game devices) to share findings, compare what you each experience, and overcome the many puzzles together. By collaborating, you’ll work toward your father’s last request and reveal the reality behind his unexpected death.

Cooperative Missions

To start a cooperative session, open Past Realms on two different devices using the same account. Then decide together who will control the past role and who will control the present role.

Both players experience the same character across two timelines:

• Past timeline: you witness a chain of vivid but dark memories.
• Present timeline: past doubts, choices, and actions have already become real outcomes and consequences.

Because the present has already unfolded, the player in the past must send messages to the player in the present. By sharing what the past reveals—updating the current situation, communicating discoveries, and cooperating—you’ll solve puzzles more effectively.

Difficulty note: Past Realms offers puzzles of moderate difficulty. If you’ve played lots of puzzle games, it shouldn’t feel overwhelming, but it also won’t be overly simple—designed to keep things engaging for both newcomers and experienced players.

Replay value: The developers encourage multiple playthroughs. Even though the game has two chapters and takes about two hours to complete, revisiting it helps you understand the content from different angles. Since many puzzles can be solved in more than one way, your interpretations and choices can uncover entirely different perspectives—often leading to noticeably different final results.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Unique premise
• 2D and 3D environments
• Surreal hand-drawn art style
• Cross-platform functionality

Cons

• Co-op only (strictly for two players)

Download

Save the downloaded APK file to any location on your device.

Open your Android Settings app and go to Security Settings.

Enable the option labeled “Unknown Source”.

Install the app using the downloaded APK file—this process takes only a few seconds.

Then launch the game from the shortcut added to your home screen to begin playing.

Review

• The two-player experience is strong, but the puzzles can feel a bit too easy.
• Aside from the ARG-style elements, the story progression currently feels somewhat lacking.
• Music can be hard to notice because the system lowers the volume during phone or tablet voice calls.
• Overall it’s fun, includes some hidden achievements, and the difficulty is enjoyable—especially for couples.



• A fresh two-person game mode that works well for shared play.
• Fans hope Rusty Lake Studios will release more games built specifically for two players.

Summary

The past and the future can’t be reached alone. Team up with friends to uncover the mysteries in Albert Vanderbohm’s room. Share what you discover, coordinate your next moves, and help each other solve the layers of puzzles.