Netflix’s latest game feels like Resident Evil 7 on the Wii U

Netflix subscribers are in for a unique experience on June 30 with the launch of Unhinged, the streaming giant’s most ambitious foray into experimental gaming yet. Developed by Night School Studio—the creative force behind Oxenfree—this 30-minute horror title feels like a bold reimagining of Resident Evil 7, tailored with the intuitive, immersive interactivity once championed by the Wii U.

<p>While the concept might seem unconventional, it represents Netflix’s most compelling step into the gaming arena thus far. After getting hands-on time with the game ahead of its release, it is clear that while <em>Unhinged</em> may not be the definitive horror masterpiece of the generation, it carves out a sophisticated roadmap for a service still navigating its identity in the interactive space.</p>

<div class="display-card video large no-badge">
    <div class="w-adsninja-video-player">
        <div class="an-ignore">
            <div class="adsninja-video-player emaki-video-player emaki-video-player-e5d6536b321879d8" id="emaki-video-player-e5d6536b321879d8">
                <script>
                    window.valstream = window.valstream || {};
                    window.valstream.queue = window.valstream.queue || [];
                    window.valstream.queue.push(function(){
                        const fallbackContent = `<button class="prem-player-close">x</button><video class="adsninja-video-player" id='emaki_video-e5d6536b321879d8' poster="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/netflix-unhinged.jpg?fit=crop&w=1024&h=576" controls><source src="https://video.polygonimages.com/2026/06/unhinged-official-game-trailer-netflix-1782232191.mp4" type="video/mp4">Your browser does not support the video tag.</video>`;
                        const fallbackToNativePlayer = function(){
                            const container = document.getElementById('emaki-video-player-e5d6536b321879d8');
                            if(!container) return;
                            container.innerHTML = fallbackContent;
                        };
                        if(!window.an || typeof window.an.monetizeVideo !== 'function'){ fallbackToNativePlayer(); }
                        else{ window.an.monetizeVideo('.emaki-video-player-e5d6536b321879d8', JSON.parse(`{"name":"Instream-InContent","groupName":"content"}`), JSON.parse(`{"trackingId":"in-content","playlist":[{"title":"Unhinged Official Game Trailer - Netflix","description":"","length":"1:38","mimeType":"video/mp4","url":"https://video.polygonimages.com/2026/06/unhinged-official-game-trailer-netflix-1782232191.mp4","thumbnailLink":"https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/netflix-unhinged.jpg?fit=crop&w=1024&h=576"}]}`)).catch(fallbackToNativePlayer); }
                    });
                </script>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

<p><em>Unhinged</em> functions as a bite-sized, episode-length narrative that subscribers stream via the Netflix app while utilizing their phone as a dedicated controller. Built on the Unity engine, the game boasts production values rivaling console titles and features a high-profile voice cast, including Zoë Kravitz, Sadie Sink, and Troy Baker. It marks a significant stylistic departure for Night School, leaning heavily into the claustrophobic, first-person terror synonymous with modern Capcom horror—complete with visceral, bone-chilling body horror.</p>

<p>Narratively, the game plays things safe. The plot follows a woman trapped in an apartment complex during a hurricane, desperately trying to evade a relentless killer. It relies on standard slasher tropes, though it does grant veteran actor Troy Baker plenty of room to deliver a charismatic performance. The experience is perfectly paced for a single, slow-burn session, delivering genuine jump scares and a few gruesome sequences that are truly difficult to watch.</p>

<div class="body-img landscape">
    <div class="responsive-img image-expandable img-article-item" style="padding-bottom:56.25%">
        <figure>
            <img src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/unhinged-hands-grab-weapon.png" alt="A character grapples with an attacker in Unhinged.">
            <small class="body-img-caption">Image: Night School Studio/Netflix Games</small>
        </figure>
    </div>
</div>

<p>Where the title truly shines is its innovative control interface. Rather than attempting to force a virtual gamepad onto your mobile screen, the Netflix Controller app transforms your smartphone into an immersive tool. You handle in-game phone calls, read text messages, and use your device to aim a flashlight, effectively mimicking the mechanics of a motion controller. A single, intuitive touchscreen button manages movement, creating a seamless point-and-tap flow.</p>

<p>It’s a clever revival of the "second-screen" philosophy that previously struggled on the Wii U. Night School embraces this gimmick fully—the controller gets "filthy" during intense encounters, and having it ring unexpectedly in your palm during stealth segments adds a brilliant layer of tension. While the game's brevity limits its depth, it serves as a triumphant proof of concept. The studio expressed a clear interest in exploring these tactile possibilities further, signaling a shift away from traditional, button-heavy gaming.</p>

<p>Netflix’s recent release of <em>FIFA World Cup</em>—which favors intuitive swipes and taps over complex inputs—suggests a unified strategy. By focusing on accessibility and unique interaction, Netflix is carving out a niche that evokes the casual, inclusive era of the original Wii. They are finally coalescing around a brand of "low-friction" gaming that feels natural for a streaming audience.</p>

<div class="body-img landscape">
    <div class="responsive-img image-expandable img-article-item" style="padding-bottom:56.25%">
        <figure>
            <img src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/unhinged-bloody-bathroom.png" alt="A visceral, blood-stained bathroom scene in Unhinged.">
            <small class="body-img-caption">Image: Night School Studio/Netflix Games</small>
        </figure>
    </div>
</div>

<p>These projects represent a pragmatic investment strategy. With an 18-month development cycle, <em>Unhinged</em> is a relatively low-risk production that aligns perfectly with the binge-watching habits of the Netflix base. If the service can maintain this cadence of high-quality, snackable prestige games, it might finally achieve the synergy between gaming and streaming that has eluded them thus far. Success, however, will largely depend on whether Netflix can improve its visibility—ensuring subscribers actually know these experiences are available to play.</p>

<p><em>Unhinged</em> arrives on June 30. It is polished, provocatively grotesque, and perfectly tuned for the format. In an oversaturated market, a quick, daring curiosity that respects the player's time might just be Netflix’s secret weapon.</p>

Source: Polygon