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Steam Demo
Free separate app on Steam with Challenge Mode, Steam Cloud, and controller support. Windows and Linux.
Open Steam Demo →Free demo
Trees Hate You demo: browser, itch.io, and Steam Demo
There are three ways to play before release. The Steam Demo is the most feature-complete build and adds Challenge Mode, Steam Cloud, and controller support. The browser build is the fastest way to try the first chapter.
Pick a version
No install
Browser demo
The itch.io HTML5 build runs in the page below. First load is heavy, and browser focus matters.
Play in browser →Version 19 · 108 MB
itch.io Windows build
Download the Windows ZIP from itch.io. The Steam Demo adds Challenge Mode, Steam Cloud, and controller support.
Open itch.io →Browser demo
Play Trees Hate You in the browser
Click Play, then click inside the game so it receives keyboard input.
The browser build is hosted through itch.io's official embed. If it will not load, use the Steam Demo or open the itch.io page.
Challenge Mode
The Steam Demo adds Challenge Mode after you finish the demo normally. The developer describes it as a trickier but fairer run:
- • Every trap is active from the start, with no changes when you respawn.
- • Some randomized events are seeded so they play out more predictably.
- • Extra traps are added to make some maneuvers harder.
That combination is aimed at speedrunning and repeat attempts. It is not a separate story or level.
Demo features added over time
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| 2026-06-19 | Timer, death counter, extra checkpoint before the tree-for-fall, more character options, trap fixes. |
| 2026-05-23 | Localization for the full language list, plus two new tree types teased. |
| 2026-04-24 | Steam Demo release with Challenge Mode, Steam Cloud, and controller support. |
| 2026-02-22 | Demo expansion: checkpoints, more level content, more traps, character creation. |
Demo FAQ
Is the Trees Hate You demo free?
Yes. The Steam Demo is a separate free app and the itch.io demo is also free. The full game will be paid, but no price has been announced.
What is the difference between the Steam Demo and the itch.io demo?
The Steam Demo adds Challenge Mode, Steam Cloud, and the version with Challenge Mode, Steam Cloud, and controller support. The itch.io version is available in the browser and as a Windows ZIP, and is the version most creators played early on.
Do I need the full game to play Challenge Mode?
No. Challenge Mode is part of the free Steam Demo. It unlocks after you complete the demo normally.
How long does the demo take?
There is no official time. The demo covers the first chapter of the forest, and your time depends on deaths and checkpoint retries. Challenge Mode adds a second, harder pass.
Does demo progress carry over to the full game?
Tykenn has not announced save transfer. Do not assume your demo character, hats, or progress will carry into the November 16 release.
Can I play the demo on a phone?
The browser build may load on some phones, but it is not an official mobile release and there are no touch controls. For a reliable experience use a desktop browser or the Windows builds.
Why will the keyboard not work in the browser demo?
The browser build needs focus. Click once inside the game frame, then use the keyboard. If it still fails, try the Steam Demo or the itch.io Windows build; see our troubleshooting page.
Stuck or broken?
Sources checked for this page
- https://store.steampowered.com/app/4307190/Trees_Hate_You_Demo/
- https://tykenn.itch.io/trees-hate-you
- https://steamcommunity.com/games/4171850/announcements/detail/529877854094099195
- https://steamcommunity.com/games/4171850/announcements/detail/671746315771710311
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