Should You Play Netflix's Horror Game 'Unhinged' in Standard or Story Mode?

Published Jul 1, 2026, 1:51 PM EDT

Ayyoun is a staff writer who loves all things gaming and tech. His journey into the realm of gaming began with a PlayStation 1 but he chose PC as his platform of choice. With over 6 years of experience in the game journalism industry, he’s been loving every second of writing about games as much as he’s loved playing them. Catch him either browsing Reddit, try-harding at a game, or cooking in his spare time.

Unhinged is a new point-and-click horror game by Netflix that features a ‘Standard’ or ‘Story’ difficulty, each having a noticeable impact on the experience. Depending on which difficulty you go for, it will affect both the challenge and the level of immersion as Ava fights to survive her nightmarish ordeal. If you’re unsure which option is right for you, this guide breaks down the differences between Standard and Story difficulty in Netflix’s Unhinged to help you make the best choice.

How to Play Unhinged on Netflix

If you’re wondering how to play Unhinged, Netflix’s new interactive horror game, you’ve come to the right place.

Netflix’s Unhinged Story vs Standard Difficulty, Difference Explained

Standard Difficulty

When you start your playthrough of Unhinged on Netflix, you’ll be playing the game on Standard difficulty by default. This difficulty is how the game is meant to be played, as it’ll put players into quick-time events (QTEs) where they’ll need to use quick thinking to survive dangerous encounters with the killer. One wrong move, and the killer will get to Ava, sending players to the last saved checkpoint.

Story Difficulty

Story mode completely removes the possibility of Ava getting caught by the killer by eliminating the timer on all quick-time events (QTEs). The game will automatically make decisions that will ensure Ava survives the night and doesn’t fall prey to the sadistic killer loose in the apartment building.

If ‘Standard’ difficulty is giving you a hard time in Unhinged, you can switch to Story mode mid-playthrough from the game over screen.

Should You Choose Standard or Story Difficulty in Unhinged on Netflix?

Neither mode has any impact on the game’s narrative. They’ll only affect the gameplay itself for Unhinged on Netflix.

Why Pick Standard Difficulty?

If you’re an experienced gamer who enjoys tense, heart-pounding horror where every decision could mean life or death, Standard difficulty is the way to go. It keeps the stakes high by making QTEs less forgiving, requiring you to stay alert and react quickly throughout Ava’s terrifying night.

Why Pick Story Difficulty?

If you’re new to horror games or simply want to experience Netflix’s Unhinged without worrying about failing QTEs, Story difficulty is the better choice. It offers a more relaxed playthrough, letting you focus on the narrative and enjoy the performances of Sadie Sink, Troy Baker, and Zoë Kravitz without the added pressure.