Netflix's foray into gaming has been met with strategic shifts and acquisitions, but the Oxenfree developer Night School Studio may represent a significant asset. Their latest offering, the horror game Unhinged, available for streaming on Netflix, utilizes a novel approach to player interaction that creates a deeply involving experience.
The game begins by asking players to use their own mobile devices. After scanning a QR code, the player's phone becomes integrated with the game, mirroring the in-game phone of protagonist Ava. This allows for a direct conduit between the player and the game world, beginning with a call from Ava's friend Claire.
This innovative use of the player's actual phone extends to text messages from various characters, providing economical world-building and establishing relationships and atmosphere. This mechanic effectively breaks the fourth wall, drawing players into Ava's precarious situation.
Unhinged functions primarily as a first-person walking simulator, streamed directly from Netflix. The player's phone gyroscope controls an on-screen pointer, often visualized as a flashlight beam, guiding Ava through dimly lit environments. Early interactions involve simple tasks like restoring power and reacting to environmental cues, such as a lightning-flash jump scare that reveals Claire’s proximity across the street, evoking a sense of being watched reminiscent of films like Rear Window.
The narrative quickly escalates from atmospheric tension to outright suspense. A noise from another room prompts a call from Claire, who expresses a desire to leave due to the storm. Ava’s decision to check on a neighbor signals a shift towards escalating dread. A subsequent call from Claire dramatically alters the perceived threat, propelling the game into a relentless sequence of events.
Despite Netflix's often perceived directionless strategy in the gaming space, Unhinged showcases Night School Studio's potential. The studio, acquired by Netflix in 2021, has a limited post-Oxenfree 2 output. However, this horror title suggests that with continued opportunities, Night School could become a key differentiator for Netflix's gaming initiatives, offering a variety that the service has historically lacked in its interactive offerings.
While Unhinged is a brisk and familiar experience, leaning on established horror tropes, its 45-minute runtime is a tightly paced exercise in tension. The performances from Zoë Kravitz and Sadie Sink as the lead characters are compelling, even with their limited on-screen presence. The game's central gimmick—the phone integration—is masterfully employed, enhancing immersion through imaginative and additive uses. The developer’s attention to detail, particularly in the final moments, offers a delightful payoff for players engaged with the core mechanic. Unhinged stands as a compelling interactive narrative experiment, one that suggests a promising future for Night School Studio within Netflix's growing gaming library.