The secret ending in Trees Hate You, the comedic rage platformer developed by Tykenn, triggers automatically when you collect every hidden coin and chest across both demo levels before finishing the final sequence. Unlike standard playthroughs that end after clearing the obstacle gauntlet, reaching the exit with 100% completion unlocks an alternate cutscene providing deeper context on the hostile forest.
Because the game is designed around sudden traps and trial-and-error deaths, securing every collectible requires stepping off the obvious path without falling for deliberate bait.
How to Unlock the Secret Ending
To trigger the secret ending cutscene in the current demo build, you must satisfy a strict set of completion criteria:
- Collect the bait coin in Level 1 without triggering the proximity trap.
- Locate and open the hidden chest concealed in the Level 1 side path.
- Carry your collected progress into Level 2 (items remain saved across player deaths).
- Backtrack from the first Level 2 checkpoint to loot the hidden alcove chest.
- Clear the final tree sequence in Level 2 with all collectibles accounted for.
Once you reach the final screen of Level 2 with all items acquired, the standard stage conclusion is replaced by the secret ending sequence.
Collectibles Checklist and Locations
You do not need to restart the entire level if you die after grabbing an item; once picked up, coins and chests stay registered to your run.
| Collectible | Type | Stage Location | Retrieval Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Forest Coin | Coin | Level 1, early path | Bypass the bush trap by walking around it in a wide arc; grab the coin from behind. |
| Hidden Forest Chest | Chest | Level 1, mid-section | Enter the narrow gap between two non-hostile trees on the left side of the main path. |
| Checkpoint Alcove Chest | Chest | Level 2, post-checkpoint 1 | Backtrack past the first checkpoint and hug the left wall along the obscured ledge. |
Level 1: Bush Bait Coin
Early along the Level 1 forest path, you will see a coin positioned directly behind a bush. This item serves as intentional rage bait: walking straight toward the coin triggers an instant lethal trap centered on the bush. To collect it safely, swing around the bush in a wide arc and approach the pickup from the rear edge.
Level 1: Hidden Path Chest
Around the middle section of Level 1, watch the left boundary of the main path for a narrow gap framed by two non-hostile trees. Most players skip this opening because it appears to be an impassable dead end. Walk directly into the gap to find a hidden chest tucked behind a leaning tree that will not fall on you.
Level 2: Backtrack Alcove Chest
Immediately after reaching the first checkpoint spawn area in Level 2, turn your character around instead of pushing forward. Head backward along the far left edge of the screen. Foreground trees visually obscure a narrow ledge, but hugging the boundary wall allows you to walk straight into a hidden alcove containing the final chest.
Secret Ending Cutscene and Lore Explained
In standard runs, Trees Hate You frames its narrative around an absurd, minimalist setup: your character has just finished a peaceful picnic and is simply trying to hike home through the woods. The joke and core obstacle of the game is that the flora itself is an active, aggressive enemy determined to bully, trick, and kill you before you escape.
Unlocking the secret ending alters the narrative takeaway in several ways:
- Why the Trees Attack: Rather than framing the forest attacks as arbitrary slapstick violence, the secret ending cutscene provides narrative clues suggesting why the flora has turned hostile against the hiker. Community analysis indicates the hidden coins and chests act as fragmented artifacts explaining the history of the woods.
- The Missing Axe: The official Steam description teases the tool with the line, "If only you could find an axe..." While the axe does not appear as a usable item within the playable demo, community speculation connects the secret ending's narrative buildup to future weapon mechanics planned for the full game release.
- Escalating Chapters: The developer has noted that the demo serves as an early chapter of a larger adventure. Level 1 introduces baseline traps, while Level 2 introduces double fake-outs. The secret ending bridges these early levels into the broader multi-biome storyline planned for the full release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you lose collected coins or chests if you die?
No. Dying after picking up a coin or opening a chest does not wipe your collection progress. You keep credit for the item and can focus entirely on surviving the remainder of the route to the Level 2 exit.
Can you find the axe in the demo?
No. While an axe is explicitly teased on the official Steam store page as a potential tool to fight back against the trees, it is not currently obtainable in the demo version.
Do custom hats unlocked in character creation carry over?
Not in the demo. While character creation allows you to preview different hats from the start menu, cosmetic hats do not carry into actual demo gameplay. Developer notes confirm that collectible and wearable hats are slated for the full Steam release.
