The Tree Reviews

The Tree presents itself as a notable entry in the realm of "Terrible Ideas For Video Games." This card game bears a faint resemblance to Settlers of Catan, yet lacks the engaging elements that make it captivating. Players are tasked with constructing a "tree" using cards, with the primary objective being to place more cards than opponents. This is achieved through matching pairs and utilizing wildcards, arranging them into a tree-like structure on the game board. The gameplay mechanics are intricate but fail to satisfy the expectations of dedicated card game enthusiasts, resembling Old Maid more than Magic: The Gathering. From a technical standpoint, the game falls short of the basic standards that most PC gamers anticipate. It suffers from bugs and lacks polish, with lengthy loading times despite its small file size. Visually, the game features mediocre hand-drawn 2D illustrations rather than polished 3D assets. It remains unclear whether this is due to budget constraints or a lack of artistic skill. Regardless, the overall visual presentation is subpar, failing to meet the expectations of modern gamers accustomed to high-quality, photorealistic graphics. While it avoids pixel art, those seeking contemporary and immersive visuals will find this game lacking. Players are invited to cultivate a symbolic tree in various worlds inspired by well-known folklore, such as the Brocéliande forest, Native American legends, Viking tales, and Medieval Japan. Each participant has a limited number of components to grow their tree—branches, leaves, buds, fruits, and golden flowers—with the first to successfully place all their pieces declared the winner. Players can utilize cards and guardian spirits to expedite their tree's growth or hinder their opponents, making timing and strategy crucial. Although the game boasts decent art and sound design, it is plagued by bugs and an inadequate tutorial. Players often encounter issues with placing pieces, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.

I didn't even get past the tutorial. It's complicated, slow, dull, and I just cannot be arsed. You have to put things on in a certain order but that order is not visible anywhere I see on the screen, plus the slow hand-holding confusing tutorial? Not interested.