The Past Within is a puzzle game with a twist! This co-op game can only be played if you have it installed on two devices, so be sure to remember that before making your purchase.
The Past Within is a puzzle game downloadable from the Play Store, one among many in the Rusty Lakes series.
Games that are similar in nature include Another Shadow, Escape From The Shadows, and Underground Blossom, (the latest in the Rusty Lake Series).
While most puzzle games offer puzzles of varying difficulties, The Past Within has a different gameplay style, as it is a co-op game.
In this complete walkthrough of The Past Within, we will explain how to get through the different puzzles, with images to help you along the way.
The Past Within: Gameplay
Starting off in The Past Within, you will need to purchase the game and download it on two separate devices.
Both devices will have to be open, as you will need to solve clues and communicate with each other if you have chosen to play with a friend.
For one device, you will choose the past, and for the other device, you will choose the future. There are two options as well, The Bee and The Butterfly.
Make sure both of you choose the same one in this instance. For the purpose of this article, we will be focused on “The Butterfly”.
If you don’t have a second device to play on, you can play with a friend, simply by going to the Discord channel.
You will start The Past Within with the following screens:
- The Past: Table with an envelope on it:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
- The Future: Puzzle Box which can be rotated:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the future, tap on the screen to zoom in, and select the red power button. The computer screen on the puzzle box will give you your first clue, you will need to enter a number in the computer to proceed.
In order to find the number for the future, proceed to the past; you will find an envelope with writing when you tap the letter, as well as a keypad.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Using the date found on the letter, in this instance: “1926”, enter the code in the computer in the future.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Your next clue will be displayed on the computer screen in the future, which we will use on the keypad in the past.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
You will receive a box of matches in the past and will now be able to proceed to the main screen, by tapping on the small black arrow facing downwards, on the bottom of your screen.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
You can change rooms by selecting these arrows all throughout gameplay.
Returning to the future, you can select Enter on the computer screen found on the puzzle box, and confirm that the other device/player, has indeed entered the code.
When you have done that, you will receive a box of matches, which you will slide open to reveal a switch. Tapping on the switch will move it to your inventory on the right-hand side of your screen.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
You are able to interact with most objects in The Past Within, and most of the time, these objects are clues to solving the next puzzle, so be sure to check everything!
You can rotate the puzzle box in the future, by sliding your finger across the screen. Remember that after zooming in, if you want to return, select the black arrows on your screen.
Rotating the screen you will find the panel where the switch has to be placed. In order to place the switch, select the switch in your inventory and touch your screen in the designated area.
Toggle the switch by sliding your finger from left to right, which will then present you with a new clue. See the image below:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Back to the past, proceed to the room with the four frames hanging on the wall. You will have a specific sequence that we can now use in the future. In this instance, it will be as follows:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
- Bird – Top left
- Butterfly – Top Right
- Tree – Bottom Left
- Family – Bottom Right
Your clue in the future looks like this:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
This clue in the future can be used on the box found in the room with the four picture frames, in the past, in the same room with the four frames on the wall. Enter the correct sequence using the shapes we found in the past:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Your next clue will be revealed: coal. Tap the coal to place it in your inventory, and proceed to the coal furnace found in the same room.
Add the coal to the furnace, by dragging it over and light it using the matches in your inventory.
Your next clue will be revealed. Proceed to the future and add the sequence found to the puzzle box, as follows:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Collect the battery and place it in the panel where we placed the very first switch. A timer will be displayed, reading 17:15.
Going back to the past, in the very first room we found ourselves in, select the clock found atop the chest of drawers. Turn the long hand of the clock by swiping your finger in a circular motion over the clock.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
You will see everything tilting to the right, go to the coffin room and tap on the picture frame that fell to the floor. You will find a key after moving the broken picture out of the way.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Use this key to open the second drawer in the room we first started out in, with the clock. Pick up the snow mask found in the second drawer.
Looking in the mirror found in the same room, place the mask on your reflection.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the future, you will find a photo slide, along with a key that mysteriously appeared on the table. Place the key in the designated space found on the panel where the rotating fan is.
Rotate the key to find the next clue:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the past, in the room with the glass-stained door, you can enter the sequence we find in the future on the panel, see the image below:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
An image of the next clue will be revealed, and we will need to go back and forth between the past and the future in order for this to work. See the example below:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Each time you move the sequence in the future, new images are shown for the glass door. Selecting the images will give you the new sequence you will need to enter in the future.
Important note: As we are seeing a mirror image, the images are inverted, and you will still need to tap on the same images on the glass doors, even though they are opposite to what is revealed in the future. See the examples below:
The Future:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
The Past:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Once you have repeated this process four times, the door will open to reveal a person standing with a mask over their face. Tap on the person’s face and return to the past, where the glass-stained doors will open.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Take note of the three notes lying on the floor, as these are important clues. The first clue will reveal 6 switches, which we will use on the puzzle box in the future.
The sequence is as follows:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
1st row – Top Down, Bottom Up
2nd row – Top Down, bottom down
3rd row – top up, bottom up.
You will need to toggle the switches on the puzzle box so that they are in the same position as stated above.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Collect the yellow floppy disk from the slot, and place the floppy disk in the allocated slot, in the panel that has the red switch on the puzzle box. Make sure you tap on the disk a second time so that the floppy disk is inserted correctly.
A screen will be displayed, with missing letters for Albert Vanderboom. Proceed to the past and tap on the letters on the coffin. In this instance, it will be the following letters:
- A
- R
- T
- N
- B
- M
Once the coffin opens after pressing Enter on the computer, tap on the pocket of Albert to find the code you will need for the computer. Don’t forget to collect the Altar key as well.
You will then need to answer a question: Tap on the arrows and enter the following code: “RVDB”, which you will get from the past in Albert’s pocket.
See image below:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
The computer will give you instructions on how to proceed to solve the clues. You will see the following image on the computer screen, with how to solve the 3 clues:
- Bone
- Flesh
- Blood
Photo: Rusty Lakes
The notes show you exactly where to go to obtain each of these in the room where we found the notes, in the past. In this instance, it is:
- Bone = Tooth
- Flesh = Ear
- Blood = Nose
When you press enter on the screen, You will start with the Teeth Clue.
The Past Within – Teeth: Bone Clue
Rotate the screen in the future to reveal the next clue. A panel will open showing two rows with the same amount of buttons indicating the amount of teeth in the past.
Return to the past and collect the Altar key from Alberts’ coffin. Go to the room where the credenza is, and place the Altar key in the slot on the right.
Place the Altar key in the credenza, in the allocated spot. The doors will slide open to reveal the following:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Slide the handle down to open the locker, which will reveal a mouth opener.
Go back to the coffin, and place the mouth opener in Albert’s mouth.
You will need to tap on the teeth in a certain order for the tooth to come loose.
In order for this to work, you will need to use the panel from the future and the teeth in the past simultaneously.
In the future, your first clue is the button that is flashing white, see the image below:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Once you have placed the mouth opener in Albert’s mouth in the past, his teeth will be revealed. Using the clue from the future, tap on the second tooth on the bottom right-hand side.
The next clue is the tooth that moved in Albert’s mouth in the past. Go to the future and tap on the top button, second on the left.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
A third white button will appear in the future, on the top row, fourth from the left. Using that, proceed to the past and tap on the same tooth in the past.
The third tooth on the bottom left in the past will retract, meaning you will need to tap the same button in the future:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
The fifth button on the bottom from the right will flash, touch the same tooth in the past.
The fourth tooth on the top from the right will retract, tap on the same button in the future.
The second button on the top from the right will flash, tap the same tooth in the past.
The fifth tooth from the left on the bottom will retract in the past, touch the same button in the future.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
The last and final button will be displayed; this is the fifth button on the top from the right, touch the same tooth in the past and watch the tooth come loose.
If you tap on the second tooth on the bottom from the left, in the future, the panel will close and a star will be displayed. This will show on your achievements.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Now that we have achieved the bone, we will need to add these details to the computer in the future. Proceed to the Flesh clue in The Past Within.
The Past Within – Flesh: Diary Clue
The second major clue in The Past Within is the Flesh clue. To obtain the diary, you will need to find the two candles that are missing from the Candelabra.
Both candles are found in the past. The first candle can be found hanging from the lampshade, in the same room where we opened the glass-stained doors. Tap the glass and remove the candle.
The second candle can be found in the room with the chest of drawers, and the clock standing on top of the drawers. Tap the glass and remove the candle.
You will also use the diary you found and pay careful attention to the story.
Proceed to the room with the candelabra, and place the two candles in their respective places. Light them, using the box of matches in your inventory.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
You will find a key that you can pick up once the candle in the center has melted. Use this key to open the top drawer of the chest of drawers found earlier.
Collect the diary and proceed to the room with the notes discovered earlier.
Pick up the pencil and place the diary on the shelf. For this to work, you will need to proceed to the future, where a new compartment will open, showing slides.
You are going to use the two clues simultaneously to solve the next puzzle.
Looking at the diary you will notice the following:
- First page: Story about sister and butterfly
- Second page: Ida left Albert with a broken heart
- Third page: Birth of daughter, Rose
- Fourth page: Working on the device to establish a connection
- Fifth page: Losing a game of chess
- Sixth page: Dark Soul
In the future, your first slide is the same as the diary, so using the sequence we found, tap on the pencil in the past and color the bottom right block.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Slide the switch to the right in the future to switch slides, and add the slide we obtained earlier.
In the past, proceed to the page in the diary explaining the story about chess. Color the top left block in.
Proceed to the future and slide the switch again. Your next image is a dark soul. In the past, go to the story about the dark soul and color the top right block in.
In the future slide the switch and Albert is standing with a baby. In the past, color the bottom left block in, on the page explaining the birth of Rose.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Slide the switch in the future and find a woman sitting at a table. In the past, color the top right block in, where it says Ida broke Albert’s heart.
Slide the switch in the future and see Albert working on something. In the past, proceed to the page where it says Albert is working on the cubical, and color the bottom right block in.
The diary will snap shut once this has been completed, and the flap will open revealing a scalpel in the past. Pick up the scalpel.
Proceed to Albert’s coffin, and using the scalpel, (yes this may be gross, but do it anyways), cut off his ear.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Press enter on the computer in the future and confirm that you have received the flesh.
The third Major clue is the Blood clue. Press Enter on the computer and see the clue.
The Past Within – Blood: Nose Clue
Rotating your screen in the future will reveal a new hatch that opens. You will need this clue as it will help you obtain blood in The Past Within.
If you proceed to the past, you will see that in the credenza we opened earlier, there are numbers and letters above the blood symbol.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
We will enter these in the correct sequence in the future. In this instance: “
The notes show you exactly where to go to obtain each of these in the room where we found the notes. In this instance, it is: “3XZY21″.
A printed receipt will state that “There is a message behind the tree”.
Proceed to the past and in the room with the four framed photographs on the wall, tap on the tree, and reveal the numbers behind the tree: “X2Y13Z”.
Enter these into the keypad in the future. The next message revealed will state: “There is a message in your own reflection.
Proceed to the room with the chest of drawers, tap on the mirror and blood will run down the mirror, revealing the following: “YX3172“.
Enter these into the computer in the future, to reveal an image with the next clue:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the past, in the room with the four framed pictures, there is a box on the right-hand side on the floor. Tap on the box and peel back the paper to reveal the following digits: “XZY312“, along with a spoon.
Your next message after entering those digits in the future will say: “Eat your hot soup and you will find a gift.
Go to the past and in the room with the four framed photographs, pick up the pot with the soup found on the chair. Place the pot of soup in the fire, pick it up again, and take it to the bowl on the table in the room with the chest of drawers.
Use the spoon to eat the soup, and collect the green gem revealed.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Place the gem in the allocated spot in the credenza room, and a bottle with a cotton swab will be revealed when the hatch opens.
Proceed to the coffin, and place the cotton swab in Albert’s nostril. Blood will pour out of his nose, which you will have to collect using the bottle.
We now have all three ingredients, Bone, Flesh, and Blood. Place these three ingredients into their allocated places in the box, above the credenza.
Click on the arrow and see the note that falls. The correct date you will need to enter on the computer in the future, according to the note, is “1984”.
Very Important Note: On the left-hand side in the top corner of the note, you will find a coin. Pick it up!
You will receive a cassette tape which you will need to insert in the panel, in the puzzle box. Music will start playing and a digital display will show: 19:45.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
A screwdriver will fall and you are able to pick it up. Use the screwdriver to unlock the panel on the puzzle box, by loosening all the screws. A chessboard will be revealed.
The Past Within – Chessboard
Proceed to the clock on the chest of drawers, in the past. Rotate the clock hand to show 19:45. Smash the vase in the room by the coffin, and pick up the key.
Use this key in the third drawer in the room with the clock, to obtain two chess pieces.
On the table in the room with the four framed pictures, you will find a chessboard. Using the clues from the future, we will place the chess pieces on the board. You are now able to play chess with the person in the past.
The future will be able to play with the white chess piece, while the past will play with the black chess piece.
You will need to alternate between the boards, moving both pieces in the exact same position, ie: the black piece in the future, needs to match the black piece in the past, and vice versa.
See the examples below:
The Past:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
The Future:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
You will do this a few times in order for it to work. When it does, a red floppy disk will be revealed in the future. Pick it up.
In the past, a coin will be revealed which you will also need to pick up.
In the future, click on the Eject button found on the right side of the floppy disk. Eject the yellow disk and place the red disk in its place.
Take the coins, and in the past, place them on Albert’s eyes in the coffin.
A soul will appear, which you will need to tap on as they are crawling away.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
You will need to do this a few times, going from room to room searching for the soul.
Once you have done that, press Enter on the computer in the future.
A new message will appear, stating you need to Adjust the smoke charge and flip the switches in the correct position.
In the past, in the room with the chest of drawers and clock, you will see an image in the mirror consisting of 6 switches.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Proceed to the future and toggle the switches in their correct positions. They are as follows:
- First row – top up, bottom up
- Second row – top up, bottom up
- Third row – top down, bottom down
Photo: Rusty Lakes
A panel will open to reveal a fuse.
The second clue can be found by the fireplace. The flames should be blue, and you will find the lines have changed position. See the image below:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Proceed to the future to the correct panel, and slide the switches to their respective places:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
A second fuse will be provided.
The third clue can be found in the past above Albert’s coffin.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Using the circle and symbols, proceed to the future and rotate the switches until they are the same as in the past.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
A third fuse will then be given to you.
Place all three fuses in the correct panel in the puzzle box.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Flip the switch and note the time displayed on the digital clock: 21:10.
Using these digits, proceed to the past and flip the time to 21:10. Go to the coffin room, and tap on the soul until it gives you the golden cube.
Place the golden cube in the cubical device, ie. the room with the credenza where we placed the bone, flesh, and blood.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the future, the computer will ask you if you have set the time in the past, tap Enter. It will then ask if you have the golden cube, tap Enter again.
You will need to press the “up” directional arrow on both screens and hold them in for 10 seconds. We can now move on to Chapter 2!
The Past Within: Chapter 2
When you think you’ve done everything there is in The Past Within, Surprise! There’s more! Two new screens will be displayed for both the past and the future.
The roles have switched now, as the puzzle box can now be found in the past, and instructions in the future.
The Past Within: Bone Clue
Using the code we have in the future: “Z1X23Y“, rotate the screen in the past and enter the sequence in the panel.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Tap on the box in the future and collect the black cube.
In the past, the following clue will be displayed:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the future, proceed to the room on the right, where you will see a red light flashing above a doorway.
In this room, place the black cube in the box that states “C-9”.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Tap on the three squares, as indicated in the above image, 3 on the left, vertically, and three on the right, also vertically.
An image of the soul should now be present in the strange machine.
On the same machine, you will find a switch that you need to rotate, alongside a clock. This will indicate the pattern needed for the past.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
After rotating the red, black, and white switches, you will receive a music key.
Rotate the screen and place the music key in the designated slot on the puzzle box. Turn the key to fit in the slot and a panel will open revealing the following:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the future, proceed to the room where you will find a radio with a dial, and turn the frequency to 78.3. The following notes will be displayed: A,G,A,B.
After entering those in the past on the panel, the following frequency is displayed:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the future, turn the dial to 114.3. C,D,E,G will be your next notes.
The next frequency in the past is 103.7. Enter this frequency in the future again by turning the dial. E,D,E,C will be your new notes to enter in the past.
89.1 is your next frequency for the future. B,A,G,A will be your notes. Enter them in the past. A tooth key will be revealed in the past which you are able to pick up.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Use this tooth key in the past, in the slot alongside the tooth. Turn the key and a new panel will be revealed, with a clue for the future.
You will use this sequence in the room to the right of the soul. A panel will open revealing a large tooth, as well as a piece of chalk. Pick up the piece of chalk.
Use the piece of chalk to draw on the blackboard, in the same room we found the radio on the steel cabinet.
Using the numbers and letters in the bottom left corner, proceed to the past and enter these in the correct panel. In this instance: “X3Z1Y2“.
The clue in the past will show you exactly which images to circle on the blackboard in the future. They are as follows:
- Coffin
- Eyes
- Soul
- Cube
- Future
- Bone
- Flesh
- Blood
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Once you have circled each one in the future, a hammer will drop and you are able to pick it up.
Use the hammer to break the massive tooth, and drag the pipe from the left-hand side over the pieces. A panel will slide shut once this is done.
When you exit the screen, the broken pieces of the tooth will be sucked through the pipe. Proceed to the room on your left.
Toggle the yellow switch that says Bone.
Turn the switch alongside the clock and go back to the past, where you will need to toggle the red, black, and white switches again according to the hands of the clock in the future.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
A screwdriver will appear once you have done that. Use the screwdriver on the panel to loosen the screws on the puzzle box.
In the future, tap on the lockbox until the lockbox explodes. Tap on the powder, as well as the box of matches to pick it up.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Follow the black mouse on the floor, it will lead you to a hole in the skirting tiles, tapping on the hole will reveal a key that you are able to pick up.
In the same room with the blackboard, tap on the right-hand side door of the steel cabinet and turn the knob.
Inside the file on the top shelf, you will find blueprints, with clues on how to solve the cog issue in the past.
In the past, tap on the blood to zoom in, and on the left, you will tap on the edge of the box to reveal a secret compartment, with a cog.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Number 2 on the blueprints will have you tapping on the top of the box, see the image below:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Rotate the puzzle box until the side with the missing gears appears. On the left-hand side of the box, you will find the third cog as seen in the image below:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Place all three cogs in their respective places and turn the handle in a clockwise motion, to reveal a doll that will drop down. Tap on the doll until it falls, and collect the hook once it has done so.
Place the hook on the side where the ear is, and turn the handle to lift the ear. See the image below:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
A new panel will reveal the following clue:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Tap on the computer screen and see the message in the cabinet, in the future. You will have to press down in order for the next clue to appear, which will be as follows:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
The switches in the past will need to be moved according to the above image,
The next clue shows 6 arrows in the following sequence:
- Arrow pointing right
- Arrow Pointing left
- Arrow pointing left
- Arrow pointing up
- Arrow pointing right
- Arrow pointing down
Using this sequence, tap on the arrows according to this in the future.
The following clue will be revealed:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Using the numbers and letters in the above image, proceed to the past and enter them in the correct panel: “Y3X1Z2“.
A maze of sorts will appear, which you will need to use in the future. According to the image below in the past, we will need to move the hook to positions 1, 2, and 3.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Be careful though, if you make a mistake it will take you back to the beginning.
When you’ve done the first one, the right-hand side on the computer screen will light up showing you have number one. The same with numbers 2, and three.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
A new clue will appear on the computer screen, revealing the bathroom in the future.
Exit the screen, and tap on the drawers in the same room. Remove the scalpel. Proceed to the bathroom, and use the scalpel to cut a piece of flesh from the ear.
Tap on the glass lying on the ground, fill it with water from the tap by the basin, and proceed to the room with the steel cabinet. Use the matches to light the bunsen burner, and place the piece of flesh on the petri dish to the left.
You will notice the letters saying coffee missing. Place the dark powder in the coffee flask found in the steel cabinet. Press the red button to fill the flask, and collect the flask.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Place the flask in the allocated space by the Bunsen burner. Place the glass of water in the remaining space, and see the next clue: “3X2Z1Y“.
Go to the future and enter these letters and numbers in the correct panel. You will need to add the liquids to the piece of flesh in the following order:
- Acid
- Water
- Hot Coffee
Make sure that you heat the coffee above the flame before pouring it over the piece of flesh. See the image below:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
You will receive a new code: “1Y3X2Z“. Enter this code in the past.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Now taking note of which symbol was which, according to the puzzle, we will need to add the oval sequence:
- Water
- Coffee
- Acid
Enter the following code in the past: “2Z1X3Y“.
According to the piece of flesh and the puzzle, the following sequence is needed for the piece of flesh:
- Hot Acid
- Water
- Coffee
Enter the following code in the past: “1Y2X3Z“.
According to the piece of flesh, the next sequence will be:
- Acid
- Water
- Hot Water
Once completed, tap on the piece of flesh and follow it. The flesh will move to the machine and you can now flip the flesh switch.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
The Past Within: Flesh Clue
Turn the dial on the clock and enter the correct sequence in the past:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
The Past Within: Blood Clue
An image will appear, as well as a red valve. Place this valve to the left of the blood substance. Turn the valve and the blood will be sucked up through a pipe.
Rotate the puzzle box, flip the red switch, and a new panel will be shown:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the future, a huge moth will appear, tap on the moth and follow it while it knocks things over. The moth will kill the mouse, and a key will be revealed. Pick it up.
Use the second key to unlock the steel cabinet door. Collect the valve from the cabinet. Place the valve on the machine in the room with the vacuum pipe:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Turn the valve to reveal the following:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In order for this to work, you will need to switch between the past and future, working simultaneously before the pressure timer runs out.
You need to tap on the images in the future, according to the image shown in the past after flipping the switch, and press on the pump in the future, as well as the past, to reveal the next picture in the past.
The sequence changes rapidly, meaning you will need to be fast and accurate while pressing the pump in both the past and the future to get it right.
In the future, blood will now run towards the body in the tank. Flip the switch for blood on the tank.
Rotate the switch alongside the clock, and in the past, toggle red, white, and black according to the hands of the clock in the future.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
You will receive a hex key, which you will use on the panel above the gears we worked on earlier.
On the machine alongside the body, use the panel to enter the correct sequence. See the following image:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Press on the cube and a candle with a man will appear. In the past, go to the image with the candle and enter those blocks in the panel in the future.
You will be shown a new image of a chessboard. Go to the chessboard through the telescope, and enter those accordingly in the future.
A clock will be revealed.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Go to the clock in the past through the telescope and enter those blocks in the future.
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Take note of each of the images as they are your clue on which sequence to use each time.
An image of a rose will appear, go to the rose image in the past. Enter the sequence.
After repeating all this a few times, Albert will thrash in the tank, and you need to tap on the glass to crack it, and again to break him free.
Tap on him as he crawls away, proceed to the room on the left, and open the steel cabinet, where you will find him fully clothed and happy to see you!
He does have some bad news, you are both still trapped in the cubes and will need to find a way to escape.
The Past Within: Cube Escape
Tap on Albert’s pocket, and find a clue of the following letters and numbers: “3XY21Z“.
Go to the past and enter these in the correct panel to reveal the following:
On the blackboard in the plast, circle the following images:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
- Eyes
- Future
- Mask
- Gems
- Cube
Tap on the key and watch it drop, then pick it up. Use the key to open the box in the steel cabinet, that says “A Vanderboom“.
The box will reveal 3 different types of masks. Find Albert in the room to the left and place the white mask on his face.
The following symbols will appear on the blackboard: ” X3Z1Y2“. Enter these in the puzzle box.
In the past, a butterfly will appear, tap on the butterfly when it has landed, to reveal the following:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the future, tap on the switch alongside the clock and rotate it to reveal new hand positions.
In the past toggle the red, white, and black switches to match the hands:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Collect the voodoo needle and use it on the doll lying on the floor. Pick up the white gem that has been revealed.
Place the deer mask on Albert’s face in the future, and go to the left, where you will find a clue in the mirror:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
In the past, toggle the switches on the puzzle box so they are in the exact same position:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Collect the red gem.
Place the music mask on Albert’s face in the future and proceed to the right, where you will see music notes in the same room as the steel cabinet. They are: F,G,D,C.
Tap on the corresponding notes in the past, and take the yellow gem.
Place all three gems in their respective places in the puzzle box, starting from left to right: White, Red, and Yellow.
Watch the cutscene and proceed to the past. Enter the following in the panel of the machine:
Photo: Rusty Lakes
Collect the black cube, and give it to Albert. Watch the cutscene and continue with the instructions.
In this instance, on both devices, tap and hold the center of each cube for 10 seconds.
Congratulations on sticking it out this far! You have reached the end of The Past Within The Past!
Wrapping It Up!
Cue the credits! The Past Within The Past is a fantastic puzzle game that will have you wondering what Rusty Lakes will give us next! Did you enjoy this game? Feel free to tell us in the comments!
