(Review) The First Tree

The level design is a bit lacking in some areas, but this level was fantastic to play through. Beautifully presented and highly atmospheric.

The Short Version:

While its simplistic approach to gameplay may be a detriment to some, The First Tree undoubtedly has a beautifully put-together story that will resonate hard with players on an emotional level. From a writing standpoint, it’s a gem, with the tranquil atmosphere and iconic music making the experience all the more memorable.

The overarching issue that plagues this game is a lack of polish in other areas, such as the mechanics and the environmental design. If you’re willing to play it solely for its narrative, then I highly recommend it. Otherwise, buy on sale.

Pros:

-A well-crafted story that’s beautifully told

-Calming atmosphere

-Wonderful soundtrack

-Good voice acting

-Charming visuals, for the most part

Cons:

-Incredibly basic gameplay

-Odd-looking terrain

-Wonky movement controls

-Maps are devoid of life

My Rating: 7.5/10 - Great

You Are a Memory...

The First Tree is a third-person adventure game that sees you playing as a fox determined to find her missing cubs. Parallel to this journey is a deeply personal story about a man and his connection to his father. The two narratives play hand-in-hand, twining with each other to create an emotional and thought-provoking message that I think a lot of players can relate to.

A majority of your playtime will be spent through the perspective of the fox while you listen to several snippets of a conversation between the man and his partner. It’s revealed in the opening cutscene that the fox’s mission to locate and bring back her missing cubs was actually a dream experienced by this man, and he is thus explaining its contents with his partner. This results in memories of his father being brought back.

Although only lasting two hours, you will be travelling quite a distance in The First Tree. The maps are large and filled with places to see.

Those recollections of the past recount all of the special moments these two had together, starting from childhood and climaxing at young adulthood. The characters are very easy to connect with, thanks to their intricate writing and softly-spoken yet well-performed voice acting. The further you progress through their story, the closer you are to finding each of the fox’s cubs.

It’s hard to talk about what happens without giving away major spoilers due to the game’s small size. I managed to complete it in two hours, and though I have issues with the gameplay, the story is beautifully told in that short time frame. It deals with upsetting topics while also providing a layer of hope that things will get better. It is not a happy game, but it is an important one, and it will stick with you even after the credits roll.

Moments such as these serve the player with an emotional respite where it can be hard not to smile.

The writing undoubtedly stands high on its own, but it wouldn’t nearly be as effective as it is without the presence of the music and the atmosphere that permeates throughout every location. The soundtrack is rich and sublime and makes the devastating sequences all the more gut-punching, while the atmosphere helps convey those emotions even further through its ability to set the appropriate tone for where you are.

Living in the Past...

Your journey through The First Tree will take you across a variety of biomes and locations that are each distinct in their appearance and design. The use of colour is the main element that allows these levels to stand out. Bright colours help to boost their vibrancy, whereas darker tones are used when things get serious. These changes are instantly noticeable and effective at setting the mood.

Each map represents a different stage of the man’s life. This is showcased by the various small dig sites that you can find, where the fox, upon investigation, will bring to surface different objects that have a memory attached to them. These areas aren’t difficult to spot, as their locations are highlighted, but interacting with each one is more than worthwhile, as they help enhance the story by giving you additional glimpses into this man’s past interactions with his father.

While some are more interesting than others, each dig site uncovers a new aspect about these characters, painting a picture of their dynamic.

It can be small things, like the father carving the son a toy, or bigger events, such as the son getting in trouble with the police in his teenage years. They help you connect with the characters by providing you with a full understanding of their relationship and how complex it is. Without these, the game wouldn’t be nearly as impactful as it is.

Finding and listening to these memories is also what the gameplay loop revolves around - that and not much else. Should you wish to skip these sites, you’ll just be going from point A to B over and over again. There isn’t much else to it than that, so experiencing these is essential if you want to stay invested.

A Rather Cumbersome Trek...

The mechanics in this game leave a lot to be desired. You can run, jump, and in some cases double jump, but the controls for all of those actions felt wonky and unpolished. There is very little progression in what you can do. The locations may all look different, but they play more or less the same.

The levels themselves are charming to look at, but there are a couple of areas that let me down. The appearance of the terrain is one of them, and you can spot the issues with it immediately. It looks odd and unrealistic, which is why it’s all the more jarring when the rest of the assets, such as the trees and some of the other props, look neater and more detailed, for the most part. The two don’t go together.

It shouldn't take you long to notice the bizzare terrain formation. It sticks out like a sore thumb. Just needs a bit of smoothing...

Whereas the other problem I have, which isn’t as big as the previous one, is the absence of life. Apart from the odd rabbit, a few deer and birds, as well as groups of insects in some areas, the maps are basically devoid of activity. This could be a purposeful choice by the developer for unknown reasons, perhaps it has something to do with your character being in a dream, but personally, I think it detracts from the atmosphere.

Both from a visual and gameplay standpoint, there are areas that feel unfinished, or are just lacking the delicate attention that the story received. Whether or not this game is for you will depend on what you’re looking for. If a magnificent narrative is enough, then The First Tree will more than satisfy that itch, but for those who expect more, you may struggle to find enjoyment.

Technical Details:

My PC Specs:

Operating System: Windows 10

Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7-6700k

Graphics Card (GPU): Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070

Memory (RAM): 16GB

Performance: Consistent 60FPS from start to finish with no obvious frame rate stutters.