What it is
A trap comedy game about not trusting trees
Trees Hate You starts like a normal walk home after a picnic, then turns the forest into the enemy. The joke is that safe-looking scenery keeps becoming the thing that kills you.
Play Trees Hate You
Choose the browser demo, Windows download, or Steam Demo first. The game overview comes after the version choice.
Choose your version
Browser, Windows, or Steam Demo?
Fastest start
H5 browser demo
Play directly from the homepage or the official itch.io page. First load can take a while because the current web build is 108 MB.
Best stability
Windows download
Use the official itch.io download when the H5 version stutters, crashes, or has browser input issues.
Challenge Mode
Steam Demo
Download the free Steam Demo for Challenge Mode, Steam Cloud, and PlayStation controller support.
Quick comparison
Steam Demo vs itch.io H5
| Version | Best for | Access | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| H5 browser demo | Trying it now | Homepage embed or itch.io browser play | First load is slower and browser performance can vary. |
| Windows download | Stable play | Official itch.io Windows zip | Requires download, but avoids browser WebGL limits. |
| Steam Demo | Challenge Mode | Free Steam download | Best if you want Steam Cloud or PlayStation controller support. |
Current itch.io build: v19, 108 MB, updated May 5, 2026. See the v19 update history.
How it plays
Movement is simple; survival is memory
You mostly move, stop, watch, and retry. The challenge is learning where the game is lying to you: a quiet path, a harmless branch, a checkpoint, or a tree that waits until you relax.
Full game
More biomes, hats, achievements, and a 2026 Steam window
Steam lists a planned 2026 release with single-player support, Steam Achievements, Steam Cloud, several biomes, collectible hats, and the teased possibility of finding an axe.
Quick read
Quick read
The demo opens with a simple walk home after a picnic, then turns the forest into the villain — the very first tree kills you before you can react.
Expect traps and gags first, not precision platforming. The path looks simple until it suddenly is not.
Steam lists several biomes, collectible hats, and a teased axe as part of the full-game pitch.
Keyboard, Xbox controller, and generic gamepad support are available. The current build is v19 (108 MB) with two levels and checkpoints.
Dig deeper: beginner survival guide · every known trap catalogued · character creation options
After your first run
Go straight to the thing you need next
Learn the controls
Keyboard, Xbox controller, generic gamepad, browser focus, and controller-not-detected fixes.
Fix loading or low FPS
Use the H5 troubleshooting checklist before switching to the Windows or Steam build.
Survive the first route
Use the beginner guide when the first few harmless-looking trees start wasting every run.
Survive
Trap catalog
Every trap type, trigger, location, and how to avoid it.
Setup
Controls reference
Keyboard, Xbox, PlayStation, and generic gamepad support.
Having issues?
Troubleshooting
Crash fixes, FPS problems, controller detection, and more.