Kiln Reviews
Kiln is the latest example of one of gaming’s most creative studios executing well on a fresh idea. There may be a couple of aspects that could’ve used more time in the oven, but Double Fine’s Kiln is a cool and quirky addition to Xbox’s 2026 lineup.
Double Fine has given us another charming Xbox first-party title in the form of Kiln, which might be light on content, but nevertheless is a fun time both on and off the battlefield. The pot-creation system is a genius take on a character creation suite, matches are frantic but offer plenty of room for strategy, and the overall presentation is really high quality. Moving forward though, it's going to need regular new content to remain fresh and give players a reason to keeping coming back, otherwise I fear this online-only game might get doused a little too prematurely.
Like most Double Fine games, Kiln exudes charisma, thanks to unique characterization that gives even a pile of dishes a strong identity.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Kiln is one of the most frustrating disappointments I've experienced this year because everything surrounding the multiplayer is good to great. The pottery wheel is a delight, the art direction is gorgeous, and Celadon's a charming character even in her limited capacity. But Double Fine built a beautiful frame around a hollow center. Quench is shallow, combat lacks impact, and there isn't enough content to keep me in it for the long haul. If you've got friends, a few free hours, and you love the idea of throwing virtual clay, there's a good time waiting here. If you're looking for a multiplayer mainstay, this isn't it—at least not yet. With more modes and meaningful updates, Kiln could grow into the game its premise deserves. Right now, it's a charming idea that needs another year on the wheel.
Kiln is recommended because it’s one of those games that impresses more with its concept than with the scope of its content. Double Fine Productions has really nailed the creativity and how customization is integrated into the gameplay, but this is overshadowed by a lack of content and variety. It’s a game that works very well for short sessions and group play, though it still has room to grow.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A genuinely different kind of team multiplayer game, with exactly the sort of thoughtful weirdness you’d expect from Double Fine.
Kiln is a concept of a decent game that was, for some reason, released in a raw state, sent to its certain death. Despite its interesting aesthetics, the gameplay core needs extensive polishing, but Double Fine simply doesn't have the time for that.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Although the developers have promised new maps, stickers and other items, Kiln launches with only a single mode called Quench. It’s fun as far as it goes and the game’s mechanics and premise are clever, but it doesn’t take long for matches to grow familiar. It’s not always easy to fill in the ranks for a full team.
I appreciate that Double Fine tries something unique with Kiln. We need more of that. But one cannot simply reward originality. It must also execute. Kiln is a scarcely functional and excruciatingly amateurish multiplayer game. This is an anomaly for Double Fine and, as such, it should be left in a furnace until it's burned out of existence.
Kiln is rather special. When I hear that a game is online-only, I'm normally turned off, and, let's be honest, it's not really the sort...
Much like the pottery it's based on, Kiln is a game that has some creativity but is pretty empty on the inside.
Making your own pots in Kiln using the ever-growing range of options is delightful, truly allowing you to express yourself. And it's fun to take your pots into battle too, at least for a while. With just one match type currently available, Quench, things can soon get a little repetitive.
With a universe of design possibilities and an outstanding creative engine, Double Fine offers us the catharsis of destruction in a game that oozes originality and humor from every pore. Kiln invites us to build our own combat vessels and take them into battle in a game featuring great level design, frantic 90s-style gameplay, and a unique art style. While we wait for new maps and game modes, the current catalog falls a bit short-we'll have to wait and see how it grows in the coming weeks.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Kiln is bursting with smashtastic gameplay and so much charm that I want a Celadon poster just so I can remember how cool it is to be silly. 🏺
Although Kiln only has one game mode, there’s plenty of variety across each of the game’s maps, ranging from dance floors to ramps and conveyor belts.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Kiln has a great premise that could be improved with additional support. It works best when you play with pals for short periods of time and have a lot of fun. It might be hard to keep people interested in it for a long time without updates, but it does offer something unique: a competitive game that feels truly creative, expressive, and clearly different from anything else in its genre.
Kiln is a fantastic concept by Double Fine that feels limited in scope. There is only one mode and a limited number of maps, while the progression also doesn’t have rewards worth slaving hours for. I hope it has a future, but in today’s competitive environment, it could struggle. Fingers crossed the team continues to build on this game because the foundation is extremely fun, and forming your own pots for battle is an engaging experience
Kiln brilliantly combines cozy games with something a bit more competitive, which once again proves Double Fine has no end to their bold imagination.
I wasn't expecting much out of Kiln, given that certain multilayer games have a decent hook, but lack the substance and addictive qualities that keep you coming back. Thankfully, Kiln has that hook, and Double Fine is dedicated to releasing new maps, decoration packs, and more, providing reasons to keep with it. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by Kiln, and currently am addicted to sculpting new pots, and discovering possibilities I never thought pots’sible.
Simple, solid fun from Double Fine’s multiplayer brawler, with a charming and easy to use creation suite to boot. Matchmaking can take some time, and playing with random players is far less enjoyable than with a group of buddies, but this is still an easy recommendation for those looking to add a new game to the game night rotation.