Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 80 | 4 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 75% | 71 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 68% | 66 | 3 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 9 reviews sampled · 8 total reviews in window · weighted 2.3 up / 1.1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (14)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 100
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“The First Tree only lasts about 2 hours and is essentially a walking sim through a handful of gorgeous settings with bits of narrative threaded throughout. That being said, the ending truly is something special, and if you choose to get this game in the future, I'd recommend enduring through the rough narration and reaching the finale. The finale is worth it.”
read full review ↗ - 66
“The First Tree as game that's been created by an independent studio, offers a good performance and with an impactful storytelling, beautiful art style and touchable soundtrack manages to become one of the best indie titles of 2018.”
read full review ↗ - 94
“While this game is a treat to play. It is even more of a therapeutic experience for the player. During the time playing this, I personally lost someone and laid them to rest which brought the story home tenfold. The game's usage of visual metaphors from the narration to the game going full circle and placing the player as the narrator at the end of the game. It was a clever end to a deeply personal story. One that I will not soon forget. This is one of those games that you can play today and write the review 10 years later and still have the details so vividly in your mind. I can tell you right now that David Wehle is going to go places. It's not a question of if, but when. Do yourself a favor that you will not likely forget, click the link below and experience this masterpiece for yourself.”
read full review ↗ - 68
“The First Tree is a one-man indie project, so, perhaps some lack of polish is to be expected. However, looking at it as a full package, it does have enough areas that could well benefit from improvement.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“If you’re a fan of meditative adventures such as the likes of Firewatch et al, then there’s some enjoyment to be had in The First Tree. You’re unlikely to get emotionally invested, but its vulpine protagonist and charming visuals may be enough to keep you interested through its short running time. ”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The momentary fun on the fox's journey in The First Tree is certainly not the main thing in the game, but rather the touching and simple message to how we should care more about people and our feelings. Small problems in gameplay may be messed up at first, but the final product is extremely satisfying.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“The First Tree is an exceptional story of loss and regret. The achievement by the game's one developer, David Whele, cannot be understated. The combination of all the elements of this experience creates one of the most memorable games this year. If you enjoy narrative adventure games then The First Tree is more than worth the two-to-three hours it takes to beat it.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The First Tree tells an incredibly personal and melancholy story about the loss of a loved through the eyes of a fox within a dream world. Wandering through beautiful, abstract worlds, you learn the narrator's story as the fox searches for her missing kits. It has a surprising number of platformer elements, given the nature of the game, but doesn't distract from the beautiful story within this short exploration game.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“But if you're looking for a bite sized title that tells a profoundly moving story, then you shouldn't be looking anywhere else. Fans of story driven games, like Firewatch, will be perfectly at home here”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The First Tree is a narrative experience with an atypical but working crossroads of stories, and an audiovisual section that, within its humility, stands out, especially the soundtrack. If you like the genre and other works with similar characteristics such as Journey or Firewatch, you are in front of a recommended game. A little more than two hours, a little more if we go for all the collectibles, which will immerse us in beautiful surroundings and a beautiful story between a father and a son, without forgetting the fox we will use.”
read full review ↗
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NintendoWorldReport
Bazimag
Planet PlayStation
NoobFeed
GameSpew
PSX Brasil
PlayStation Universe
GamingTrend
TheXboxHub
33bits…and 2 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- A personal update + my next gameSep 8, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Mac 64-bit fixFeb 15, 2020
- Big, new update! The definitive version of The First Tree now available!Nov 30, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- New languages!Jan 8, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Huge update! Now on Linux, most gamepads supported, and more!Oct 16, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Important fixes - Version 1.1Sep 18, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Important fixes - Version 1.1Sep 18, 2017
- A small update and controller questions answeredSep 16, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- A small update and controller questions answeredSep 16, 2017