The First Tree

Walking Simulator.

It is awesome not gonna lie.

Another Indie Series of foxes i've played, yet it is perfectly, it is really enjoyable, no frustration, nothing, pur chill ambient, and story aswell really awesome, and i will recomend it to everyone, it is tottaly worth.

Never Expected that to be so good, but it is perfect. 10/10

Even years, still looks perfect.

Im being honnest, for real.

Realmente me encantó el juego y la narrativa del protagonista, sincronizando la historia con el juego. Simplemente bello

Absolutely stunning visuals, but a bit slow, still would reccomend

Truly inspiring game!

You play as a fox, as being described by the guy who had the dream about the fox. So not only do your choices not matter, because it's a dream, but the events of the dream have already happened and you're just there to relive them. I played through the first "level". Standard item collection game with substandard platforming. The visuals and music are lovely and invoke a calming feeling, but ultimately, unless you're up for a "story" where you only purpose is to walk forward to the next part of it, I do not recommend this game. Others have done it better, and for free.

To be honest, I dont understand why people love this game so much. From all the reviews I read, I thought this was gonna be the best and most heartfelt story ever, but it kinda dissapointed me. Sure the story was nice but nothing else. The story with the fox was also really lack luster. I wish they would have done something more with the story of what happened to the fox cubs, or atleast expand more on the wolf that occasionally showed up.

The gameplay was mid too, the whole running around and finding the stars was kinda annoying and finding the treasures was also kinda boring.

In my oppinion, get the game if you like story games or you dont mind gameplay or graphics.

art is ok ...game play and mechanic are not bad but for a simple game map is too huge without any guide . its really hard to find ur way or find what should u do it was ok if map was smaller ...in overal its depend on what do u like because for indie game it have just map problem

10/10 game. It made me cry and realize...that i need to move forward...being sad and demotivated...just hoping to go forward through my days without any goal...it isnt the way...i need to do something and move forward with a goal...this is an awesome game...and an art piece in storytelling.

The First Tree – A Beautiful but Hollow Experience

The First Tree presents itself as a deep, emotional journey wrapped in a stunning, atmospheric world. However, despite its visual beauty and soothing soundtrack, the game ultimately falls flat due to shallow gameplay, clunky storytelling, and a lack of real engagement.

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🕹️ Gameplay – Repetitive and Uninspired

The game is marketed as a third-person exploration platformer, but in reality, it plays more like an interactive walking simulator with minimal interaction.

• The platforming is stiff and imprecise, making it more frustrating than engaging.
  
• Movement feels floaty, and the few jumping or puzzle elements add little to the overall experience.
  
• There is no real challenge, no meaningful mechanics—just wandering through pretty but empty landscapes.
  

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📖 Storytelling – Forced and Underwhelming

The First Tree attempts to deliver an emotional story about loss and family, but it fails due to its overly sentimental and heavy-handed execution.

• The story is narrated through voice-over, which often feels unnatural and overly dramatic.
  
• Instead of allowing players to experience emotions naturally, the game forcefully pushes its "deep" and "meaningful" message.
  
• The switching between the fox’s journey and the protagonist’s memories feels disjointed and melodramatic rather than impactful.
  

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🌄 Visuals – Beautiful but Empty

Yes, the game is visually stunning, no doubt about that. But beyond its minimalist aesthetic, the world feels lifeless and monotonous.

• The landscapes are impressive at first glance but lack detail and interactivity.
  
• Exploration quickly feels pointless since the environment is barren and unengaging.
  
• The absence of meaningful landmarks makes the game world feel repetitive and dull.
  

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⏳ No Replay Value

With a runtime of around two hours and no variation or deep mechanics, there is little reason to revisit The First Tree after completing it.

• The story is linear with no choices or alternate endings.
  
• No collectibles or side content incentivize replaying.
  
[*] Emotional games usually leave a lasting impact, but this one feels forgettable.

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❌ Verdict: 4/10

The First Tree has artistic ambition but lacks execution. Its shallow gameplay, forced storytelling, and empty world make it feel more like an interactive slideshow than a real game.

shattered my soul.

10/10

5/5 star

This is one of my favorite story like games i have ever played and i highly would recommend this to anyone.

9.6/10

Alright, so first the facts.

About 1.6ish hours of gameplay. More if you want to do all achievements.
Are you looking for action,,, then this is probably not for you. Are you looking for realism... same.

But!
Are you looking for a different gaming experience?,then i recommend this game.
The story is well done. Maybe a little corny sometimes, but still pretty good.
The Voice acting is on point. The scenery is simple but beautyfull.

Last but not least: The message of the game. (!no spoiler!)
Everybody has to find out for himself what he takes from this game.
And thats what makes this game so special.
A. there is a message, (more then 80% of new games).
B. No matter what situation you are in you can decide what message you take from this.
C. it makes you think and feel without telling you what you have to think or feel, and thats pretty amazing for a game

so afterall, pretty amazing game, i recommend it to anyone who wants to discover a special kind of gaming experience.

Hats off for achieving a good-selling game as a solo developer, but I don't get it. The game is terrible. I feel mean saying it, but it's like the most minimal thing you could make and play.

an absolutely beautiful game with beautiful scenery and amazing story.

Wow, The First Tree is such a beautiful and emotional experience! I haven’t even finished it yet, but I’m already in love. From the moment I started playing as the fox, I was completely drawn into the serene and melancholic world. The visuals are stunning—like walking through a dreamy painting—and the soundtrack is so soothing it made me forget all my worries.

At first, I thought, "Oh, this is just a cute fox exploring nature," but then the story started to unfold, and I could feel the emotions creeping in. The way it weaves the fox’s journey with the human narrative is so touching. I may or may not have already shed a tear or two... okay, fine, I cried a little. 😭

Also, as someone who once tried to fix a leaky faucet and ended up flooding the kitchen (let’s just say I’m not cut out for plumbing), I can confirm that this game’s emotional depth is way more intense than my DIY disasters.

For now, I’m just enjoying the breathtaking landscapes and the adorable fox—she’s so fluffy and sweet! If you’re looking for a short but meaningful game that’s equal parts relaxing and heartwarming, this is it. Highly recommend! 🌟

Really sweet game, made me tear up a bit

Quite boring honestly

'Death is a part of life'. The journey is simple yet emotional, and I was genuinely surprised by the epilogue, which shifts to a different graphical style, adding an unexpected but meaningful touch. The only downside is for getting 100% achievements as it requires you collecting all 150 stars, which turns into tedious work. Overall, a beautiful experience with a strong message.

One of the most beautiful and most emotional games I have played in years. It is not too often I see games that have such a deep, driven narrative that leaves us with an important, powerful message. The First Tree is not just any ordinary video game. Its a game that takes us through the thought provoking moments and the reflections of how we must cherish every single moment with Family. You will shed tears, but the The First Tree is something that I think everyone should play. The biggest takeaway I learned from this is that tomorrow is never promised. Buy this. Play this. You'll be glad you did....

MY CHILDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD AHHHHHH

The First Tree has a touching story, great narrator voices and beautiful Music.
I especially love the song at the end! ♥
The art and scenery is very pretty too, but the maps are way to big for the amount of secrets hidden in there.

6/10

I would recommend to buy this game if you are a fan of Walking Simulators or cozy relaxing games with simple game mechanics.
For some the game might be a bit boring, I really enjoyed it and the easter eggs (haha literally) hidden in here, but it's missing something to give it a better rating.

PS: Why is it in games with foxes, that you will often end up finding dead cubs? So sad :c I still have to play Endling and some Meadows games...why are you breaking my heart in that way?!

What a beautiful game. I thoroughly enjoyed The First Tree. I found myself riding an emotional roller coaster. Sometimes I was smiling, yet other times I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. Go on a emotional journey with a fox and experience the trials and tribulations of life. This game is sad, so be prepared for that. However I recommend giving this game a go, because if you don't you will regret it. The developer did an amazing job with The First Tree and I salute him. Give The First Tree a go. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

If you have a dad, lost your dad or dont have a dad. Either save yourself the tears and pain or play this game and wonder WHY

The First Tree has beautiful music and pleasing visuals. If you like short games with a bit of a story and a lot of free roam and exploration and collectibles, and if you love playing as a fox, I would recommend this game.

It's very rare that I leave a negative review. I can find the appeal in almost any genre or any gameplay. But this game...broke me. The gameplay and story feel completely misaligned. The puzzles require an absurd amount of tedious backtracking. The levels transition from one area to another with little to no warning, thrusting you into the next scene even if you weren't done exploring (with seemingly no way to return to previous areas). I didn't understand the fox, the tree, and most importantly why I the player should be emotionally invested. Did I, arguably, care too much? Should I have instead just muted the narration and enjoyed wandering around as a fox? I feel like I would be more sane if that were the case. Overall the game is...fine. There's nothing outright wrong with it, it just feels incredibly lacking in certain areas by ignoring the player's desires in favor of the plot. Which would be fine if the plot was incredible, but it's not. It feels confusing and self-important and vague in world building when it doesn't need to be. It's not a theory game, it's a linear story. It feels like it needs to explain itself with the amount of exposition the narrators are providing, but then it doesn't give detail to the most important questions. Why the fox? Why the tree? Who is Rachel? Hence my frustration

This is one of those games that are more about the narrative than the gameplay itself. Contrary to the norm however, this one contains a LOT of dialogue and narration, so you need to be in the right mindset to enjoy it - don't expect a "chill" silent winter-ish game. No spoilers but the overall message of the game is as deep, mature and adult as expected.

It's often the case that you only get out what you put into an experience. This goes double for The First Tree.

When you're focused on the adorable fox trotting around dreamy landscapes and swaying to the melancholy soundtrack, the game's stories strike a cord and are affecting. But the second your mind drifts from the emotion at hand, it gets pretty difficult to ignore just how out of sync the two narratives are and how barren the levels you've been traveling through have become. At that point, The First Tree has lost you and won't be getting you back under its spell by its own power.

The game is clearly heartfelt. You can sense an earnest, single set of hands on the whole thing. But in the end, it simply expresses grief and stops there with nothing new to say about it.

Not Recommended

nice story and BGM, but some of the intervals between the cut-scenes are too long that it becomes boring and kills the mood/immersion.

Probably they're saying something interesting but I don't know because for me to be able to listen to the music on a volume that it's not annoying, I need to lower the dialog too much so I cannot hear it. Separate volume levels please. I'm a musician and it distracts me a lot. Music, gameplay and story, too much input for my brain at the same time.
Apart from that I don't know what's the path. I can't remember if I'm going back or what I need to do. So frustrating. Too much time pressing forward with no motivation for me to do that.
I don't want to be disrespectful with all of the work put on the game, but I can't continue like that.
Also the physics are weird. You can change direction mid air. Maybe necessary for the game to work, but still a little ugly aesthetically.

I would 100% recommend this game. The story is very heartfelt and I personally don't relate as much, but it drives me towards certain goals. If you want to 100% this game like I did I RECOMMEND playing this game blindly first and then finding a guide to get all of the collectables, there is something totally worth it in my opinion at the end if you 100% afterward.

Although the maps are a little too big for what there is to explore, the storyline is beautiful and it is absolutely worth it

Did not find the experience enjoyable at all. You were just thrown into fields with different themes collecting stars and looking for collectibles while listening to boring stories.

Beautiful story, but the game feels a bit empty. Is one of those games you walk around for hours collecting pieces of the story. Still, I recommend the game because it was enjoyable and the story is really good. Have fun!

Good voice acting!
Good music!
Good graphics! I especially liked the graphics in the last fox scene.
Nice game!

This Game is very pretty, some of the best beautiful story line as well. Worth playing it.

Made me cry.
10/10

This game is a work of interactive art. In the sense that, quite frankly, there is very little game to be had and it is mostly made to make you feel things. The "platforming" is just plain bad and the world is in my opinion not interesting enough to explore. On top of that, I am fairly sure I missed some buildup to one rather important emotional beat of the story which as a result didnt really hit. However, the final two did, which is what matters in the end. The walking simulator is not really my genre, the artistic direction of the visuals, which is what got me to want this game in the first place, rather quickly became repetative and too large for how slow your character moves, and yet I think I'll remember my 90 minutes with this interdisciplinairy piece of art rather fondly. I am not sure of whether I would actually recommend it to others, mostly because of the aforementioned "game"-part of the programme being a pain in the bottom, but I wouldn't in good consiounceness be able to give it a thumbs-down. It was an experience, and I guess I'll leave it at that.

A Beautiful and Emotional Journey

The First Tree is a walking simulator that offers a poignant, personal experience rather than traditional gameplay mechanics. In this game, you control a fox on a quest to find her missing children, all while exploring a serene landscape. The narrative is built around the fox’s journey and also includes a parallel story that explores themes of loss, connection, and healing.

The game has a simple premise but its strength lies in the atmosphere and storytelling. The emotional weight of the narrative is carried through by the ambient music and the beautiful, though not highly detailed, art style. It’s clear that a lot of care was put into creating a soothing and reflective atmosphere, and the views are often stunning, even if they aren't overly intricate.

What makes The First Tree special is its ability to evoke feelings, depending on the player’s connection to the story. For some, it will be an emotional, meaningful experience, while for others it may come across as slow and uneventful. It’s a brief, personal journey that might not appeal to everyone, especially those expecting more traditional gameplay, but for those who appreciate introspective and story-driven experiences, it’s a game worth trying.

If you're looking for a short, heartfelt experience with a focus on atmosphere and emotion, The First Tree is definitely worth a look. It may not offer traditional gameplay, but it provides a beautiful and touching experience that can resonate deeply.

It has cinematic music and story telling. I loved the moment when the MC told his wife that his dad died. I wish the game nods you to the right direction because I was lost sometimes.

Overall, it's a 8/10 for me.

Beautiful game, lovely graphics, great music and a decent story.

It wasn't emotional story. it wasn't a sad story. it wasn't a sweet story. I really tried to have fun but it was just a random guy trying to be a therapist in the background in a cringe way NO THANKS . It's just overrated.

Beautiful and Excellently written. Would for sure recommend.

Скажу сразу - деньги вы отдаете не за "игру" игру, а за очень трогательную и захватывающую жизненную историю. Сама геймплейная часть игры является не более чем вкусной и хорошо примененной приправой к главному блюду. По сути - Вы бегаете по локациям, собирая секреты и дополнительные детали для главной истории.
Все описанное выше не могу причислить к минусам, ввиду степени, в которой эта необязательная игровая часть интегрирована в повествование героя истории. Повсюду в игре Вы будете находить мелочи, которые подчеркивают важные (и не очень) детали рассказа. Сама по себе фоновая музыка - огонь. Она идеально переносит настроение конкретных частей истории и помогает Вам сильнее в нее погрузиться.
Для времени своего выхода визуально игра оформлена прилично. Хоть и есть разные недоработки в этом плане, они отходят на задний план, так как игра, в данном случае, вовсе не про графику.
Может показаться, что эта игра является одной из нескольких себе подобных (Spirit of the North, Lost Ember, и т.п.), на самом деле, тут вы получите минимум экшона и геймплея, но максимум вовлеченности.
Своей цене игра подходит. Настоятельно рекомендую к прохождению, если у вас есть 2-3 часа свободного времени, и хочется почиллить и расслабиться (для некоторых может даже и поплакать).
9 из 10.

Didn't really feel like a game, there was little interaction or entertaintment but it did relax me for a couple of hours which is how much time it took for me to finish it. Im not gonna go and compare this to a bigger game with more developers working on it for months ofc. But it was ok work for a small team idk

7/10

Overall this game isn't for me, but i really liked the ending, so originally i would have rated it a 6.5/10 and not have recommened the game but the ending carries the game.

The First Tree is really annoying. There's nothing special to do expect hanging out, the moves are horribles, there's no story. The graphics are awful. 9.75€ for only 2h of playing, it's expensive! The only positive thing on this game is the music. I don't recommend it!!! 👎