Quick Review: The First Tree

Nothing like playing as a fox to feel in line with nature. And I mean an actual fox, not like McCloud or something.

The breathtaking wilderness.

Developed and published by David Wehle, and released on September 14th, 2017, The First Tree is an exploration game in which you play as a mother fox searching her cubs. You explore each area on the look for artifacts scattered around the field, often buried in the snow or ground. This is also a discussion between two partners reminiscing on the past, the man having recently made that dream you’re playing right now, the one in which you’re playing as the fox mother, and how that dream reminds him of the interactions he had with his father when he was young.

Little-known fact: Butterflies make foxes super-jump.
Well, according to this game, anyway.

Determined to find her cubs.

The whole experience is calm, relaxing, and, when the plot takes hold, absolutely heart-gripping. As a side-quest, you can try to collect the little stars scattered around the areas – some of these involve some platforming action. There’s also a few parts that are a bit puzzle-like in feel. There is a nice reward for collecting all of the stars. I won’t spoil much, but the vixen travels around a variety of fields and environments (starting in a snow-filled land, going through fields busting with plants and life, a watery area at night, a sanctuary for animals, and of course the eponymous First Tree). Upon reaching the First Tree, you’re encouraged to type in a message and it may be added to a database, and thus may appear in someone else’s playthrough of the game.... while you will get someone else's message to read.

Through the starry night.

Oh! More animals. Beautiful.

I do appreciate the themes brought by the narration – the discussion between a man and his significant other about nostalgia, the past, parent-child relationships, and so on… While the narration does tie in with the imagery, and is pretty important, sometimes I wouldn’t have minded going around these levels and take in the breathtaking environments without anything to distract me from it.

The First Tree is available on Steam for 10$.