Streamer xQc took on the indie comedy rage game Trees Hate You, attempting to speedrun its obstacle-packed forest demo while dodging deceptive environmental traps. Developed by Tykenn, the game turns a peaceful walk home from a woodland picnic into an unfair obstacle course where every tree attempts to ambush, plow through, or trick the player.
During his broadcast, xQc navigated character customization, struggled through tight tree hitboxes, baited aggressive trunks, and eventually completed the demo, comparing the experience to classic web games from the Miniclip era.
xQc's Trees Hate You Speedrun Highlights
In his recorded playthrough, titled "xQc SPEEDRUNS Trees Hate You," xQc faced the demo's deliberate trap design and trial-and-error mechanics.
Character Customization and Early Ambuses
The run began in the character creator, where xQc experimented with customization options before finalizing his character without glasses and testing different color palettes. Upon entering the forest, the game presented humorously misleading in-game signs such as "Be sure to read every sign you see" and "One word of advice, try not to get hit by the trees."
Early obstacles immediately tested xQc's patience. Moving trees repeatedly caught him off guard, leading to frustrated remarks about deceptive hitboxes and sudden movement patterns. An in-game prompt suggested pressing Tab to check for trees when stuck, though xQc primarily relied on direct trial-and-error routing.
Baiting Patterns and Mid-Game Hazards
As the demo progressed, the game introduced more aggressive flora. xQc developed specific baiting tactics to survive narrow pathways:
- Baiting charging trees: Trees would charge from off-screen or from behind. xQc used directional feints—moving left, stepping forward, and hugging boundaries—to trigger charging animations before dodging out of their trajectories.
- Multi-layered obstacles: The run encountered triple-layer tree formations and moving hazards that forced tight repositioning between checkpoints.
- Trap chests and collectibles: xQc opened a golden chest that awarded a hat, only to immediately face further hazards.
After several close deaths, failed dodges, and resets, xQc managed to trap pursuing root hazards, slip past the final barriers, and reach the demo finish line. Upon completing the run, he stated he would wishlist the game on Steam, describing it as a fun, quick-retry experience reminiscent of retro browser mini-games.
What Is Trees Hate You?
Trees Hate You is an indie adventure rage game created and published by developer Tykenn. The game places players in the role of a hiker trying to walk home after a picnic, only to find the forest flora actively plotting their demise.
| Feature | Official Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer & Publisher | Tykenn |
| Steam Release Date | November 16, 2026 |
| Genre | Adventure, Indie, Rage / Trap Comedy |
| Supported Platforms | Windows, Linux (Web demo on itch.io) |
| Demo Availability | Free demo on Steam and itch.io |
| Controller Support | Full controller support, DualShock, DualSense |
| Storage Requirement | Minimum 1 GB available space (Windows 10+) |
According to official Steam information, the full version features multiple biomes, character customization, hat collection, trap-heavy gags, and Steam Cloud support.
Core Mechanics and Trap Design
The gameplay loop in Trees Hate You relies on subverting player expectations rather than pure reflex checks alone:
- Deceptive pathing: Harmless-looking roads and straightforward shortcuts often conceal sudden tree charges or dropping hazards.
- Instant resets: Hazards eliminate the player in one hit, but the rapid respawn cycle keeps downtime minimal.
- Checkpoint progression: Checkpoints save forward progress across major obstacle sections, allowing players to practice individual bait timings.
- Customization: Players can customize their hiker's appearance, finding or unlocking hats throughout the trail.
Where to Play Trees Hate You
Players wanting to attempt the same forest hike seen in xQc's stream have two main avenues:
- Web Browser (itch.io): Tykenn hosts a playable HTML5 browser demo on itch.io, offering the quickest way to jump into a run without installing files. A downloadable Windows build (around 108 MB) is also provided there.
- Steam Demo: A dedicated PC demo is available directly on the Trees Hate You Steam store page, where players can test the latest traps and add the full game to their Steam wishlist ahead of its planned launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did xQc finish the Trees Hate You demo?
Yes. After multiple deaths and refining his bait-and-dodge movement against charging trees, xQc cleared the demo route and announced his plan to wishlist the game.
Does Trees Hate You have a full release date?
Official Steam store data lists the release date as November 16, 2026.
Can you play Trees Hate You on mobile or consoles?
No official mobile, PlayStation 5, or Nintendo Switch versions have been announced. Publicly available versions are limited to PC via Steam and Windows/HTML5 browser builds on itch.io.
What controllers work with the game?
Official Steam specifications confirm full controller support, including standard gamepads as well as DualShock and DualSense controllers, alongside keyboard controls.
