Comparison

The Past Within vs Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

The Past Within

Embark on a cooperative point-and-click adventure where players explore different time periods and dimensions. Work with a friend, communicating what you see to solve intricate puzzles and uncover mysteries. This unique experience requires both players to own the game and communicate externally.

Highlights
  • Co-op only gameplay
  • Explore past and future
  • Solve puzzles together
  • Two distinct perspectives (2D/3D)
  • Cross-platform play
  • Replayable with new solutions
Features
Read full description

Note: The Past Within is a co-op only game. Both players need to own a copy of the game on their own device (mobile, tablet or computer), as well as a way to communicate with each other. Play together with a friend or find a partner on our official Discord server! The past and future cannot be explored alone! Team up with a friend and piece together the mysteries surrounding Albert Vanderboom. Communicate what you see around you to help one another solve various puzzles and explore the worlds from different perspectives! The Past Within is the first co-op only point-and-click adventure set in the mysterious world of Rusty Lake. Features: ▪ A co-op experience Play together with a friend, one in The Past, the other in The Future. Work together to solve the puzzles and help Rose set her father’s plan in motion! ▪ Two worlds - Two perspectives Both players will experience their environments in two different dimensions: 2D as well as in 3D - a first-time experience in the Rusty Lake universe! ▪ Cross-platform As long as you can communicate with each other, you and your partner of choice can each play The Past Within on your preferred platform: Mac, PC and Nintendo Switch! ▪ Playtime & Replayability The game contains 2 chapters and has an average play-time of 2 hours. For the full experience, we recommend replaying the game from the other perspective. Plus you can use our replayability feature for a fresh start with new solutions to all puzzles.

About

Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR

Features
Read full description

Following the launch of the free app Synaesthesia Gallery AR: Journey through the Senses 2021 at Trinity College Dublin for Brain Awareness Week with funding award by the Dana Foundation and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR app features creative synesthesia experiences crafted in art and music: painted, composed or experienced. Synesthesia is a wiring of the brain that is characterised by cross-modal perception. In addition to perceiving stimulus in one sensory modality, e. g. sound/music, synesthetes may perceive an additional quality to the experience in a secondary modality – a colour, or smell, or feeling. Many synesthetes use their cross-modal sensory experiences as creative inspirations. The app features works of scientists and artists who work with synesthesia research, music, or art, or both: Michael Haverkamp, Karin Olesen, Timothy Layden, Svetlana Rudenko, Christine Söffing, Dolores Montijano, Carol Steen, CC Hart, Carrie Firman, Ninghui Xiong, Greta Berman, Geri Hahn, M. K. Ciurlionis, Richard Roche and Mads Haahr.

Screenshots

The Past Within4 screens
Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: The Past Within at every 2 weeks against Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR's every 3 months. The Past Within also leads on price ($2.99 vs $6.99) and chart position (#5 vs unranked). On ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

The Past Within costs $2.99 and Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Past Within ships an update every 2 weeks, Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
The Past Within versus Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe Past WithinSynesthesia Gallery 2 AR
Price$2.99 — better$6.99
Rating4.9 (7.4K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews88.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings7.4K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#5 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.1 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size379 MB47 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperRusty LakeHaunted Planet

Bugs and requests

The Past Within

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • No sound in the game
  • Crashes after Chapter 1 title screen
  • Downloading issues on some devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • More chapters/levels
  • Single-player mode option
  • Ability to switch roles/perspectives
  • Online/remote co-op functionality

Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

The Past Within

No in-app purchases

None

Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is The Past Within free?
The Past Within costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR free?
Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do The Past Within or Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR have ads?
Neither The Past Within nor Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Past Within or Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR?
The Past Within ships an update every 2 weeks, and Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR every 3 months. Most recently, The Past Within was updated on October 30, 2026 and Synesthesia Gallery 2 AR on October 11, 2026.

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