The Past Within Lite - Co-op puzzle adventure

Welcome to the DEMO edition of The Past Within, a cooperative adventure lasting 15 to 30 minutes developed by Rusty Lake. To access this demo, both participants must have their own copy of the game. This version supports cross-platform play and features unique content that differs from the complete premium version.

Decide between exploring The Future or The Past and create memories with a friend. Participate in the Cubical Device Beta program set in The Future to discover if you can establish a link with The Past. Communication from The Past will provide essential information to connect both realms.

Highlighted features

▪ Collaborate on puzzles with a friend

▪ Exclusive co-op gameplay that allows for cross-platform interaction

▪ Gameplay duration of 15-30 minutes, with options to switch perspectives

▪ A captivating soundtrack crafted by Victor Butzelaar

The full premium version of The Past Within is set to launch on November 2nd, 2022, and will be available in over 18 languages.

Shared Chills, Shared Thrills: Why This 30-Minute Demo Left Me Begging for More

The Past Within Demo isn’t just a teaser—it’s a masterclass in how co-op should feel: tense, intimate, and utterly mind-bending. My friend chose "The Past" (a dimly lit 1920s study with creaking floorboards), while I inhabited "The Future" (a sterile lab humming with alien machinery). What followed was 28 minutes of giddy, gasping revelation. Shouting clues across Discord ("The pocket watch! What symbols are engraved? Quick!") as cryptic machinery whirred in my timeline, I finally understood Rusty Lake’s genius—it forces you to truly listen, visualize, and trust your partner’s perspective.

That eureka moment when my friend described a moth-eaten diary sketch that perfectly aligned with my hologram puzzle? Spine-tingling. The Future’s cold, digital interfaces clashed hauntingly with The Past’s analog dread—a music box melody in her timeline triggered particle shifts in mine, synced to Victor Butzelaar’s haunting score. We replayed immediately, swapping eras, and discovered entirely new puzzles and narrative layers hiding in the same brief runtime. No other game makes silence feel so collaborative, where a partner’s delayed "…wait, I think—" hangs in the air like coiled wire.

For a free demo, it’s astonishingly rich—less a snippet, more a perfectly contained vignette of cosmic horror and connection. If this is the beta, November 2nd can’t come soon enough.

Helpful FAQs:

Q: Do we really need two separate copies? Can I screen-share?

A: Yes—each player must own the demo. Screen-sharing defeats the magic! The puzzles demand simultaneous, independent exploration of both timelines. Cross-play is seamless (iOS + Android + PC).

Q: How does communication work? Is voice chat built-in?

A: No in-game voice—you’ll need Discord/phone/etc. This intentionally forces careful clue description: "The skull’s third tooth is chipped" vs. "Click that bone thingy!"

Q: Is progress saved if we replay or switch perspectives?

A: The demo is designed for multiple short sessions. No save slots, but discovering new secrets each playthrough is the reward!

Q: What carries over to the full game?

A: Nothing—this is standalone exclusive content. Consider it a thematic prelude with unique puzzles not in the main game.

Q: Can I play solo?

A: Impossible. This is pure asynchronous co-op—like solving a escape room split across two dimensions. Find a puzzle-loving friend!

Q: How much storage space does it need?

A: Surprisingly light! Under 200MB per platform. Perfect for quick installs before a coffee break adventure.