The Past Within cover art

games like

The Past Within

The Past Within leans Optimization (Pure Optimization). Below: catalogued games with the closest cheat-test profile, and exactly where each one differs.

Matched first against: Point-and-click - then ranked by cheat-test profile.

EXECUTION1 /10READS1 /10VARIANCE4 /10OPTIMIZATION8 /10

12 games like The Past Within

A cross-genre tag below means that pick didn't share a genre - it filled a slot on cheat-test profile alone.

Persona 3 Portable cover art
Persona 3 PortablePure Optimization · JRPG social sim

Both lean on execution about the same (1 vs 1). Biggest difference: reads (1 vs 0) - Shadows follow scripted weakness patterns, never adapt

full comparison →
Rusty Lake: Roots cover art
Rusty Lake: RootsPure Optimization · surreal escape room

Both lean on execution about the same (1 vs 1). Biggest difference: reads (1 vs 0) - Scripted surreal events, never adaptive.

full comparison →
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge cover art
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's RevengePure Optimization · point-and-click adventure

Both lean on execution about the same (1 vs 1). Biggest difference: variance (4 vs 2) - Some item locations are initially hidden but deterministic

full comparison →
The Secret of Monkey Island cover art
The Secret of Monkey IslandPure Optimization · point-and-click adventure

Both lean on execution about the same (1 vs 1). Biggest difference: variance (4 vs 2) - Some hidden items require exploration but solutions are invariant

full comparison →
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis cover art
Indiana Jones and the Fate of AtlantisPure Optimization · point-and-click adventure

Both lean on execution about the same (1 vs 1). Biggest difference: variance (4 vs 2) - Solutions hidden until reasoned out

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Grim Fandango cover art
Grim FandangoPure Optimization · point-and-click adventure

Both lean on execution about the same (1 vs 1). Biggest difference: variance (4 vs 2) - A few timed sequences add minor uncertainty but nothing critical

full comparison →
The Curse of Monkey Island cover art
The Curse of Monkey IslandPure Optimization · point-and-click adventure

Both lean on execution about the same (1 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (1 vs 0) - pointing and clicking only

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Her Story cover art
Her StorySystems & Chaos · FMV detective

Both lean on reads about the same (1 vs 1). Biggest difference: execution (1 vs 0) - Typing search terms only.

full comparison →
Twelve Minutes cover art
Twelve MinutesPure Optimization · time-loop thriller

Both lean on execution about the same (1 vs 1). Biggest difference: reads (1 vs 0) - Loop characters follow scripts that update only on information triggers

full comparison →
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony cover art
Danganronpa V3: Killing HarmonyPure Optimization · murder mystery VN

Both lean on execution about the same (1 vs 1). Biggest difference: variance (4 vs 2) - Truth Bullets and hidden evidence shape trial uncertainty

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Professor Layton and the Curious Village cover art
Professor Layton and the Curious VillagePure Optimization · puzzle adventure

Both lean on execution about the same (1 vs 1). Biggest difference: variance (4 vs 2) - Puzzle answers are hidden until reasoned out, then fixed

full comparison →
999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors cover art
999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine DoorsSystems & Chaos · escape room visual novel

Both lean on variance about the same (4 vs 4). Biggest difference: optimization (8 vs 6) - Escape-room puzzles and route flowchart are fully solvable

full comparison →

Game details

Released
2022
Developer
Rusty Lake
Platforms
Android, PC, iOS, Mac, Switch
Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
IGDB users
70/100
Point-and-clickPuzzleAdventureIndieHorrorThrillerMystery