Kiln Review – Packing a Creative Punch

There is a wide gap between gamers who prefer competitive games versus those who prefer cozy ones. Well, Double Fine, the developers of Kiln made an interesting and bold attempt to draw fans of both genres, and the result is something that works surprisingly well. Even for me, somebody who leans more toward the lighthearted side of games, I couldn’t stop trying to break a few enemy pots and also looking colorful when doing so.

Trial By Kiln

This game doesn’t have a complicated story—in fact, it doesn’t have one at all—but that doesn’t matter in the slightest. As you start the game, during the tutorial, a goddess summons the player, telling them that they are a spirit and that they must essentially help her with the cycle of life, which is to create and destroy, which is quite ironic, because you’ll be using pottery skills to create unique, practical vases, that will eventually shatter during this abstract, destructive, and highly enjoyable environment.

In Kiln, one of its main features—and one that will likely appeal to casual players—is the workshop. In this world of pottery, spirits live on a floating island, where you have a corner with pottery wheels. Once the inspiration hits you, you take a workstation and start creating. First, you must choose how much clay you’ll use to determine how large or small your piece will be. Then, using various tools or your bare hands, you’ll shape the clay into different forms and textures. Finally, choose the color and decorations before sending everything to the Kiln.

I believe there is a lot of creative freedom to make as many pieces as you want. Unfortunately, this will only last until you unlock all the options. At first, you can only choose one size of clay, and as for tools, you’ll only have our hands—you’ll unlock more of them after a few matches. You can also purchase a few more tools on the floating island from the cosmic merchant dog if you want to increase your creative capabilities.

Once you’ve finished everything, it is time for the pottery showdown, and here’s where things get really interesting. It’s not all about the potter’s wheel—you’ll need to test the usefulness and durability of your vessels in a team competition to collect water across the map and shut down the enemy’s Kiln. In each match, your teammates will have their own vessels, which they’ll use to explore in search of water droplets.

Here, the shape of the vessel you create is crucial, since, depending on your design, you’ll have varying levels of durability and water-carrying capacity. Your size and shape are also important, as the maps show narrow passages that larger vessels can’t navigate. You should also keep in mind that your vessel’s shape will have a unique attack and “Ultimate” ability, distinct from the standard options available, which you’ll need to use to defeat your enemies. If you happen to get destroyed, there’s gold scattered across the map to repair yourself with Kintsugi. However, if you get destroyed, don’t worry—you’ll respawn after choosing another vessel and rejoin the battle until it ends.

The matches are fast-paced and dynamic, and for those who aren’t big on intense competition, the ability to respawn really lightens the mood. Also, the moment someone takes you out, you can choose another vessel from the ones you’ve created and have in your top three on your shelf, or from your teammates’ selection. Plus, the maps are unique and feature their own sponge traps that activate when you throw some water at them, adding another layer of variety.

Breaking the Mold

I still remember seeing the first trailer for Kiln at a showcase. From that moment on, I was drawn to its pottery and cozy atmosphere. However, I think it’s a pretty fun game that doesn’t require a huge time investment; it’s quite casual, and it’s a great way to hang out with friends or strangers online. First, I was disappointed that so much of the spinning wheel was locked at the start, but it’s actually quick and easy to get the rest of the tools, so the feeling didn’t last long.

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Furthermore, something I didn’t even think about at first is that the goddess—even though there isn’t really a story—is a character who broke into my heart, just like the little world of the floating island, which has some quirky animations that make it feel more alive. Overall, I recommend Kiln to those looking for some lighthearted competition, with in-depth, highly customizable cozy features on the side.