Great Tree
A dying giant whose fate binds the forest's soul and determines its future.
The Great Tree is the colossal heart of the forest of Nibel, a towering ancient entity that serves as both the physical and spiritual anchor for all life in the region. Its massive roots stretch deep into the earth while its branches reach high enough to pierce the clouds, creating a vast ecosystem where light and darkness battle for dominance. As the source of the Spirit Tree's energy, it sustains the forest's inhabitants and maintains the delicate balance between nature and decay.
- Location
- Center of the Blind Forest
- Significance
- Source of life and spiritual energy
- Status
- Dying / Reborn
- Key Inhabitants
- Naru, Gumo, Kuro, Spirit Tree (formerly)
- Primary Threat
- The Decay
- Connection
- Linked to the Spirit Tree via roots
Lore & Background
The source does not provide specific lore about a 'Great Tree' separate from the Spirit Tree. The Spirit Tree is the central entity of Nibel: its voice narrates the story, and its core (Sein) was taken by Kuro after the Spirit Tree released a flash of light to look for Ori, which burned and killed all of Kuro's recently hatched offspring. Without its core, the Spirit Tree could not sustain the three elements (Waters, Winds, and Warmth), and Nibel lost its balance. The forest withered, and Naru died of starvation. At the end, Kuro takes Sein back to the Spirit Tree, which emits a flash of bright light that dissipates the fire and restores the forest, but Kuro is destroyed by the light. The source does not mention a 'Great Tree' as a distinct location or entity.
In Their Own Story
The source does not provide a narrative passage about a 'Great Tree' as a separate location. The story centers on Ori, a guardian spirit who fell from the Spirit Tree as a newborn, was raised by Naru, and later journeys with Sein to restore the forest by recovering the light of three elements: Waters, Winds, and Warmth. Key moments include Gumo stealing and returning the key to the Water element, Ori and Sein finding Kuro's nest with a single egg, and the final restoration when Kuro sacrifices herself to return Sein to the Spirit Tree.
Reader's Guide
The source does not describe a 'Great Tree' as a playable area or zone. The game world is a 2D Metroidvania map with no visible loading time, rendered at 1080p and 60 frames per second. Players control Ori, using abilities like jumping, climbing, wall jumping, and double jumping, and Sein can shoot Spirit Flames to combat enemies or break obstacles. The save system uses 'Soul Links' created with energy cells. The source does not detail specific zones, traversal puzzles, or hazards tied to a 'Great Tree' location.
Did You Know?
- The Spirit Tree's flash of light to find Ori killed all of Kuro's recently hatched offspring, leading Kuro to take the tree's core (Sein) and causing the forest to wither.
- Kuro's nest contained a single egg after her offspring were killed; at the end of the game, that egg begins to hatch in Naru's home.
- The game's story was inspired by The Lion King and The Iron Giant, and the level 'Valley of the Wind' is a nod to Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
- Moon Studios is a worldwide collaboration with staff in Austria, Australia, Israel, and the United States; many employees met face-to-face for the first time at E3 2014.
- The game was released for Windows and Xbox One in March 2015, and for Nintendo Switch in September 2019; a Definitive Edition was released in March 2016.