- September 14, 2017
- Whelly
- 4h median play time
The First Tree
Everything aside from the story is simplistic, but it doesn’t matter if the puzzles are non-existent or that the graphics are basic, because The First Tree packs an emotional narrative and is a game that every indie fan should play as a result.
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About
The First Tree is a single player open world simulation game with fantasy, drama, mystery and kids themes. It was developed by Whelly and was released on September 14, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.
A beautiful, 3rd-person exploration game centered around two parallel stories: a fox trying to find her missing family, and a young couple dealing with a tragedy in their own. Uncover artifacts from the young couple’s life as they too become intertwined in the fox’s journey towards The First Tree.











- Beautiful graphics and art style that create a calming atmosphere.
- Touching and emotional story that resonates with players, especially those who have experienced loss.
- Great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Gameplay is mostly just walking and collecting items, leading to a lack of engagement.
- Controls can feel clunky and unresponsive, making platforming frustrating.
- No option to save mid-level, which can lead to losing progress if you need to exit the game.
- story1,873 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
The story of "The First Tree" intertwines the emotional journey of a mother fox searching for her missing cubs with a man's reflections on his relationship with his deceased father, creating a poignant narrative about loss, love, and healing. While the visuals and soundtrack are praised for their beauty, some players find the gameplay repetitive and the pacing slow, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite mixed feelings about the execution, many reviewers appreciate the heartfelt storytelling and the emotional impact of the narrative.
“This story follows a mother fox looking for her missing cubs, and a man reconnecting with his father in parallel.”
“The first tree is such an emotional rollercoaster due to the familiarity of the narration, such a simple but relatable story can happen to anyone and not only that but the story would (in my case) make you think about personal past events, happy and sad moments, loss and grief, regrets and how to cope with it, plus the music along with the fox's story will for sure make your eyes well up; all of these aspects together deliver a solid emotive experience.”
“The story is beautifully written, the artwork is beautifully done, it was emotionally beautiful.”
“The story is boring, generic, and slow.”
“The story is not very good, it touches on grief and loss but is purely uninteresting.”
“The story is very emotional, but the gameplay is even slower, just holding W simulator with large stretches in between tiny story bits.”
The First Tree PC Review
The First Tree tells a gripping story but could have used more polish in its other departments.
68%The First Tree (Switch) Review
The First Tree is the definition of an indie, but we should still expect more.
65%The First Tree Review
An incredible passion project eschewing video game norms and wearing its heart proudly on its sleeve, The First Tree is a masterfully executed work of art and storytelling showcasing the harsh realities of life even in the face of beautiful surroundings.
100%
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Frequently Asked Questions
The First Tree is a open world simulation game with fantasy, drama, mystery and kids themes.
The First Tree is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.
On average players spend around 3 hours playing The First Tree.
The First Tree was released on September 14, 2017.
The First Tree was developed by Whelly.
The First Tree has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.
The First Tree is a single player game.
Similar games include Spirit of the North, RiME, INMOST, LOST EMBER, Lifeless Planet and others.




