Netflix's new horror game 'Unhinged' uses your phone as a controller

Netflix is pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment with "Unhinged," an immersive horror game set to launch on June 30. Described as a transmedia project, the game blends passive viewing with active participation, allowing players to "play" a series of events as if they were in a movie.

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immersive horror game that feels like 'playing' a series or movie

The game features a star-studded cast, including Zoë Kravitz as Ava, a young woman trapped in her apartment during a Category 5 hurricane, and Sadie Sink as her best friend, Claire. Troy Baker also lends his voice to the character of Ben, the building's janitor. Ava's survival hinges on her communication with Claire and Ben via her smartphone, which becomes the game's primary interface.

Developed by Night School Studio, known for "Oxenfree," "Unhinged" innovates by using a player's smartphone as the controller. By scanning a QR code on the TV screen, the phone integrates into the game, allowing players to direct a flashlight through dark spaces with real-world phone movements. The phone also rings and vibrates for incoming calls and messages, enhancing the immersive horror experience.

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Your smartphone becomes Ava's phone

To cater to different player preferences, "Unhinged" offers two modes. "Story Mode" provides a stress-free narrative experience with no time limits or risk of death, focusing on atmosphere and story. In contrast, "Standard Mode" presents a genuine challenge, incorporating a rapidly decreasing timer during tense moments that forces players to find interactive objects to save Ava's life. Failure to do so results in her death, though the article does not fully detail the consequences of failure in this mode.

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Story Mode