Review: Kiln - A Cozy Twist on Chaotic Multiplayer Brawling

A charming and creative multiplayer brawler that blends fast paced action with surprisingly meditative pottery design

Available on: PC, Xbox, Playstation

Genre: Action, Multiplayer, Crafting, Creative

Developer: Double Fine Productions

Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

How Cozy? ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Game Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

When I first heard about Kiln, I wasn’t entirely sure it would be for me. I tend to struggle with the frantic nature of online multiplayer brawlers, they can often feel overwhelming and a little unforgiving. But Kiln surprised me. Not only is it accessible, it’s deeply charming in a way I didn’t expect.

While this isn’t a genre typically considered “cozy,” Kiln finds a really lovely balance between chaotic battling and creative, calming elements.

Story

Kiln takes a simple but wonderfully imaginative approach to its core idea. You play as a small spirit that inhabits and controls a clay pot, a bit like a hermit crab searching for its shell. But instead of finding one, you create it yourself.

That concept alone sets the tone for the entire experience. It’s playful, a little whimsical, and gives you a sense of ownership over how you play from the very beginning.

Related: Looking for more games where you can decorate?
Check out this list of fun and cozy decorating games!

Gameplay

One of Kiln’s most unique features is its pottery system. You sculpt your own pots from clay, shaping them however you like. The modelling feels surprisingly responsive, allowing for a good amount of detail and creativity even early on. As you progress, you unlock more tools, opening up even more possibilities for intricate designs.

And the customization doesn’t stop there. Winning matches earns you currency, which you can spend in the shop on colours, patterns, stickers, handles and lids. The variety already feels extensive, and it honestly feels like I’ve only scratched the surface. The potential for design experimentation feels nearly endless.

But your design choices aren’t just cosmetic.

The shape of your pot directly affects your playstyle. Larger pots can hold more water but move more slowly, while smaller, sleeker designs are faster but less durable. Each pot type also comes with its own unique ability, which adds a layer of strategy to the creativity.

The battles themselves are delightfully chaotic, but importantly, they still feel fair.

The objective is to extinguish the opposing team’s kiln by collecting water from around the map, or by smashing other players’ pots and stealing the water they’ve gathered. It creates this constant push and pull between attacking, defending, and trying to survive long enough to make it back to your target.

The maps are relatively small, which actually works in the game’s favour. It’s easy to understand where everything is, your kiln, the enemy kiln, and water sources, so the challenge comes from navigating the chaos rather than figuring out where to go.

Matches are quick to get into as well. Loading times are fast, and I was consistently finding games in under a minute, often closer to 20 seconds, which makes it really easy to jump in for a few rounds without any friction.

Graphics and Visuals

Kiln leans into a bright, tactile art style that perfectly suits its theme.

The clay textures feel soft and malleable, and there’s something inherently satisfying about seeing your handmade pot come to life in battle. The designs you create genuinely feel like your own, which makes every match a little more personal.

The overall presentation keeps things light and playful, helping balance out the chaos of the gameplay with a sense of warmth and creativity.

Longevity

Kiln feels like a game you can dip in and out of over time.

With the sheer number of customization options and the ongoing progression of unlocking new tools and decorations, there’s always something to work towards. The variety in pot designs alone adds a lot of replayability, especially as you experiment with different builds and playstyles.

And because matches are short and easy to queue into, it’s perfect for quick sessions without feeling like a big time commitment.

Conclusion

Kiln is a genuinely delightful surprise. It takes a genre that can often feel intense and inaccessible and softens it with creativity, charm, and a unique central mechanic that sets it apart. The pot making system is not only fun, but unexpectedly calming, giving you a moment of quiet creativity in between chaotic matches.

While the battles can feel tense at times, there’s no real sense of threat or pressure. It’s more of a playful, energetic romp than a high stakes competition.

If you’ve ever been put off by multiplayer brawlers but are curious to try something a little more approachable, Kiln is absolutely worth a look. And if you enjoy creative systems in your games, you might find yourself spending just as much time sculpting as you do battling.

It’s a lovely blend of chaos and calm, and it works far better than you might expect.

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