Kiln – Review

Creative chaos in a world of clay and a creative idea that immediately hooks you

Kiln is the kind of game that makes you raise an eyebrow in the first few minutes, but in a good way. It's a multiplayer brawler where everything revolves around pottery: you create your own "character" by shaping clay, and its form directly influences your playstyle. The concept is unusual but very easy to grasp, which makes it accessible even for players who aren't fans of the competitive genre.

What attracted me most was that the game doesn't try to be complex. Instead of complicated systems, Kiln relies on a simple idea: you create, you jump into a match, and you have fun in controlled chaos. Together with my wife, Andreea, I quickly discovered that the game is much more fun when played by two, because it emphasises coordination and quick reactions.

Simple, yet surprisingly chaotic gameplay

The match structure is straightforward: two teams try to "extinguish" the opposing kiln with water. In practice, however, everything becomes a constant chaos of movement, attacks, and quick decisions. Each player has their own type of ceramic "pot", and this determines their role in the team.

What I liked is that there are no dead moments. You're always involved, whether you're attacking, defending, or trying to gather resources. Especially in co-op, the game becomes a very lively experience, where communication matters more than the mechanics themselves.

However, after several matches, it feels like the variety is limited. The core gameplay remains the same, and without additional modes, there's a risk that the experience will become repetitive in the long run.

The pot creation system: the most original part

One of the most interesting aspects is the pot sculpting system. It's not just cosmetic; the shape you create directly influences the gameplay. Larger pots can carry more water but are harder to manoeuvre, while smaller ones are fast but fragile.

This combination of creativity and gameplay is probably the game's best idea. The fact that you "build" your playstyle before the match adds a subtle but important strategic layer.

Visually, Kiln is very pleasing. It doesn't try to be realistic or technically spectacular, but instead opts for a colourful, slightly stylised, and friendly look. Everything has a relaxed vibe, even if the action in matches is sometimes very intense.

It's the kind of game that looks good without requiring a very powerful PC… at least in theory.

The two-player experience: the real strong point

The best part of our experience was how Kiln works in co-op. Played together, it becomes much more than a simple competitive PvP. It's chaotic, amusing, and sometimes completely unpredictable, which makes it very fun in the short term.

We often laughed in situations where everything seemed lost or when our plans instantly collapsed due to the chaos in the match.

The real problem: optimisation

Unfortunately, the biggest downside of the game is performance. Kiln is not well optimised on PC, and this is noticeable even in moments where there shouldn't be any problems. I encountered FPS drops and lag in relatively simple situations, without exaggerated effects or screen clutter.

This sometimes breaks the game's rhythm and affects the overall experience, especially in a game where quick reactions are important. It's the kind of problem that isn't about gameplay, but strictly about the technical side, and I sincerely hope it gets resolved through updates, because the game deserves better.

With more modes or variations, the game could become much more attractive in the long run. For now, it's more of a "short, intense sessions" experience than a game you'd return to daily.

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Available on: PC (Steam, Xbox App), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Played on: PC (Steam)
Release date: 23 April 2026
Developer: Double Fine Productions
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Approximate duration: As long as you want it to last…