Close search results
Close search results
×
Play YouTube video
×
Please enter a valid email address
Please choose a platform
How young was your child when they first played this?
:
 
How does your child play this? Alone, with friends, with family? How did they discover it and what kept them coming back for more?
:   :
 
To verify your input please enter your email to create an account.
Email:

Play OverviewPlay Overview

The First Tree (2018) is an exploration narrative game where you explore a forest wilderness as a mother fox looking for her cubs. Simultaneously, you revisit childhood memories in spoken reflection from two lovers remembering the dream and their formative years.

During the game, we hear the man and his partner discussing the dream and how it relates to his life, in particular his distant relationship with his father, who has now passed away. He deals with his regrets of not having spoken to his father more. Meanwhile, his partner supports him and reassures him that together they are still family and still have each other. Though this game deals with the feelings of an adult losing their parent, with complex dialogue to match, this game has a relatable emotional content for young people playing with adult supervision.

It's a poignant and beautiful journey, told from the perspective of a young adult looking back at their growing up. As it crescendos on arrival at a large tree you realise the landscape and the parent-child memories have become intertwined.

"The path was luminous before her and it led to something ancient, so she ran," says the narrator. While the fox isn't as lifelike as other games, it's the landscape that is the real encounter here. Big and open enough to get lost in, to run and run and run in, but not so big as to frustrate for very long. Through a wide range of terrain and seasons, the game is a chance to find calm and space for your own reflection.

Because there is no way to die or fail, and there are no enemies, this is a game that is good to try as one of your first. Or to play with a young player. With this in mind, you still need to apply some logic at times and deal with the slightly finicky interface. Triggering the three tree stumps in the middle level foiled some, but you just need to stand on them and press A in time with the falling light bug.

It features an orchestral soundtrack by acclaimed artists like Message to Bears, Lowercase Noises, and Josh Kramer.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked The First Tree 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 4 weeks ago.
There are lots of games similar to The First Tree. Here are some we picked for you:

Play StylePlay Style

This is a Narrative and Traversal game with Adventure, Platform and Puzzle elements. This is a single-player game. Although it’s a solitary game, at a certain point you get to leave a poignant message that will appear in other people’s game. The massages are vetted by the developer and add weight to the closing scenes of he game.

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 2 hours and 3 hours to complete.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 3 for alcohol references.

In addition to the ratings parents and carers should also note that themes of family estrangement and parent-conflict run through the coming-of-age story. There are also dead fox cubs that you discover along the way.

Skill Level

7+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. The interactions of the game are relatively simple and forgiving. You do need to persevere at the exploration sometimes and be patient in looking for items.

CostsCosts

The First Tree usually costs £8.39 to £9.49. 

The First Tree

XBox Store Xbox One £8.39
PlayStation Store PS4 £9.49
Steam StoreSALE PC £8.50 £0.85 until 21/03/2024
Switch Store Switch £8.99
Steam StoreSALE Mac £8.50 £0.85 until 21/03/2024
There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 11/10/2018

Price: 90% off

Out Now: Android, Mac, PC, PS4, Switch and iOS

Skill Rating: 7+ year-olds

Players: 1

Genres: Narrative, Traversal (Adventure, Platform and Puzzle)

Accessibility: 0 features documented (Tweet Developer )

Components: 3D Third-Person and Open World

Developer: David Wehle (@DavidWehle)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

Subscribe to our free newsletter

Subscribe
Carina Initiatives
PlayStation
HSBC
GameOpedia
Xbox
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
Discord
Contact Us
About