#the first tree

Inktober 2024, Day 20: Uncharted.

The First Tree....

Listen, when I saw the trailer a few years ago I thought to myself, "oh cool! A little fox game! I'll have to play it some time"

And then I didn't. Until today when I saw it for sale in the Nintendo Switch eShop. I decided, "why not!" And downloaded it to my Switch.

I began to play.... and it was NOT what I expected.

You play as a mother fox searching for her babies. This fox is actually part of a reoccurring dream this man named Joseph is having. Joseph is telling his wife Rachel about the dream. And also recalling memories of childhood and especially with his father. His father he had one point become estranged to due to conflicting interests.

As you play you play as the fox and you find your babies unfortunately passed on and you grieve for two of them. The third the game makes you walk away in defeat. However before all that you wonder through the forests and uncover memories and gather these little glowing stars along the way. Uncovering more of Joseph's past and revealing his story.

Eventually, you come to the First Tree of which you had snippets mentioned throughout the game. The little fox stops at the base of the tree, head down and tired. Then the game pauses for a moment and says, "The First Tree awakens, and gently asks if there is one last message the fox wants to say to her children. She replies back and says.."

Then the game gives you the opportunity to write a message.

But! Remember those little sparkling objects I mentioned that you spent time gathering and trying to find? That's the amount of characters you have to type out your message. Thus creating a much deeper meaning.

When I got to this part at first I didn't understand and then it hit me. Tears began rolling down my cheeks as the meaning behind leaving a message struck me.

This little game... which I maybe spent a dollar something plus tax, has made it into my, one of the best games I've ever played list.

Welcome to the Arbitrarily-Chosen Video Game Tournament, where we will find out which of the games I've played is the best game of all time!

Why? Don't ask. Just vote and reblog!