Info about Kiln:

Official game description:
STANDARD & FIRED UP EDITIONS
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Roadmap
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About the Game
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Kiln is a pottery power-fantasy that celebrates both Creativity and Destruction: the pleasure that comes from both making beautiful things, and then smashing those things to smithereens. Create your pot, grab your friends, and join a team of colorful spirits who face off against one another in online arenas, where the ceramic creations you sculpt on a pottery wheel become the bodies you bring into battle.
The shape of your pots affect your attributes and your play-style. Will you be big, or small? Wide, or tall? Will you make a plate, a jug, a cup or a bowl?
There are a multitude of different sizes and combinations to discover, each with unique abilities and attacks, along with new and surprising ways to play. Work together to find the best combination of pots and play-styles to break through enemy lines, and collect enough water to douse the flames of the enemy’s kiln — Does your team have what it takes to shape and smash your way to victory? As the battlefield becomes strewn with the shattered fragments of friend and foes alike, your brawling skills and some great teamwork will be required to assure victory.
Become a Master Potter – Manipulate realistic clay to craft and decorate in an immersive pottery wheel experience featuring a variety of tools and techniques.
After the battle is won, head to The Wedge to practice your pottery prowess, decorate your pots to make them yours, then share your creations with others (and admire their handiwork, too).
Create and Destroy Together! Making pots and breaking pots are both better with friends. Hang out, experiment with clay and share what you make, or jump right into multiplayer battles and start swinging!

Release date: Apr 23, 2026

Categories: Multiplayer, Customization, Crafting, Team-based Gameplay, Physics Simulation, Creative Mode, Party Game, Online Multiplayer

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 100; verdict: Broken / Unsupported; summary: The game is heavily integrated with Microsoft accounts, which prevents it from running on Linux. This is a critical issue for Linux users as it effectively makes the game unplayable on their platform.
- Steam Deck: score 60; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game faces several significant issues, including compatibility problems with certain operating systems, performance issues requiring upscaling for decent FPS, and potential anti-cheat concerns. These issues collectively contribute to a subpar user experience.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 5.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 1.5h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides some insights into playtime metrics. The mention of spending a 'huge amount of time' in the beta suggests significant engagement in the pottery builder aspect of the game, which can be inferred as part of the endgame content. The review mentioning 5 hours of playtime without seeing all paint patterns indicates a moderate investment to unlock content, which could be related to game completion. However, there is no direct evidence for story completion or typical session length.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Kiln offers immediate fun in quick matches, especially with friends, but the enjoyment drops off quickly due to repetitive gameplay and locked content.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Quick matches with friends
  - Time to anchor: 0h 5m
  - Friction: Repetitive gameplay; Locked tools behind progression
  - Unlock drivers: Progression system; Playing with friends
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Quick matches
- Player Archetypes:
  - Studio Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: Loyalty to the studio and appreciation for unique game features.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys both competitive and casual aspects of the game.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Double Fine fan; Unique game enthusiast
    - Reference games: Splatoon
  - Competitive Player (sale)
    - Motivation: Desire for a competitive and challenging gameplay experience.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on competitive modes and improving skills.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Competitive gamer; PvP enthusiast
    - Reference games: Splatoon; MOBA games
  - Cautious Recommender (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Desire for a more complete and feature-rich game.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys a variety of game modes and features.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: Casual gamer; Content seeker
    - Reference games: Splatoon; Other PvP games with multiple modes


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging pottery-making system (weight 0.84): The game features a fun and engaging pottery-making system that is well-thought-out and relaxing. Players enjoy the in-depth simulation and the ability to create and decorate their own pottery.
- Creative player expression (weight 0.49): Players appreciate the freedom to create unique pottery shapes and express themselves through pottery shaping. The game combines pottery creation with multiplayer brawling, offering a unique concept.
- Charming atmosphere and setting (weight 0.43): The game has a charming atmosphere and setting, with a cool art style and thematic. Players appreciate the overall aesthetic and feel of the game.
- Enjoyable multiplayer experience (weight 0.37): The game offers an enjoyable multiplayer experience with fun and engaging gameplay. Players find the overall gameplay experience to be enjoyable.
- Diverse and feature-rich maps (weight 0.16): The game features diverse and feature-rich maps, providing variety in the gameplay experience.
- High-quality graphics and music (weight 0.16): The game is praised for its high-quality graphics, animation, and music, contributing to an overall great gaming experience.
- Team-based gameplay (weight 0.15): The game includes team-based gameplay with different roles, emphasizing teamwork and strategy.
- Worth the price (weight 0.15): Players find the game worth the asking price and recommend checking it out.
- Positive overall sentiment (weight 0.13): Players express positive sentiments about the game, describing it as awesome, cute, cozy, and fun.

Common complaints:
- Performance and optimization issues (weight 0.6): The game suffers from poor optimization leading to terrible performance. Players report underwhelming performance even on high-end hardware.
- Lack of game modes and variety (weight 0.54): Players are disappointed by the limited number of game modes and maps available. The lack of variety makes the game feel repetitive.
- Presence of hackers and cheaters (weight 0.53): There are reports of hackers with infinite health and invincibility glitches, which ruin the gameplay experience for others.
- Long matchmaking times (weight 0.25): Players experience long wait times for matchmaking, which can be frustrating. Additionally, matchmaking with bots is not available.
- Clunky and uncomfortable controls (weight 0.24): The controls are described as slow, clunky, and uncomfortable. Players feel that the controls could be more responsive.
- Limited customization options (weight 0.23): Players find the customization options to be very limited, restricting their ability to personalize their experience.
- Issues with party system (weight 0.22): There are issues with the party system, including the inability for friends to be in the same overworld lobby.
- Unbalanced and forgiving mechanics (weight 0.22): The combat mechanics are described as unbalanced and too forgiving, particularly with fall mechanics.
- Gameplay becomes boring quickly (weight 0.18): The core gameplay loop is criticized for getting old fast, leading to a lack of long-term engagement.
- Bad tutorial and map design (weight 0.17): The tutorial is criticized for being poorly designed, and the map design is also considered bad.
- High cost for limited content (weight 0.17): Players feel that the game is overpriced, especially considering it offers only one battle mode at launch.
- Lack of descriptions for abilities (weight 0.09): There is a lack of descriptions for abilities and forms, making it difficult for players to understand and use them effectively.
- Missed opportunities for unique modes (weight 0.09): Players feel that the game missed opportunities to include unique and varied game modes, making it feel generic.
- Limited platform support (weight 0.09): The game does not run on Linux or debloated Windows due to Microsoft account integration, limiting its accessibility.
- Live service model criticisms (weight 0.09): The game is criticized for being a live service game, which may not appeal to all players.
- Game Pass Ultimate requirement (weight 0.09): The game requires a Game Pass Ultimate subscription on Xbox to play with others, which is seen as a limitation.
- Too many transitions (weight 0.09): The game is criticized for having too many transitions, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- Competitive rather than casual (weight 0.09): The current game mode is perceived as more competitive than casual, which may not appeal to all players.
- Underwhelming winning and losing feelings (weight 0.09): The feelings of winning and losing are described as underwhelming and devastating, respectively, affecting player satisfaction.
- Quick match duration (weight 0.09): The quick match mode is criticized for being too short, affecting player engagement.
- Need for custom rooms (weight 0.09): Players have expressed a need for custom rooms to enhance their gaming experience.
- Presence of small bugs (weight 0.09): There are reports of several small bugs that need to be addressed to improve the overall gaming experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Pottery-making simulation (weight 0.97): The game features a pottery-making simulation where players can create, decorate, and customize their own pottery. This involves manipulating clay and expressing creativity through pottery shaping.
- Combat mechanics (weight 0.54): The game includes combat mechanics, described as decent and physics-based. Combat is a significant part of the gameplay, involving various strategies and interactions.
- Party brawler gameplay (weight 0.52): The gameplay is centered around a party brawler style, featuring movement and brawling in a multiplayer environment. It is casual and designed for party play.
- Customizable pottery shapes and abilities (weight 0.49): Players can customize the shapes and abilities of their pottery, which affects combat and gameplay. Different shapes and types of pottery determine attack methods and skills.
- Team-based water collection (weight 0.3): A unique gameplay mechanic involves teams competing to carry water and extinguish the enemy's flame. This adds a strategic element to the game.
- Online multiplayer mode (weight 0.27): The game offers an online multiplayer mode, allowing players to compete against each other in various gameplay modes.
- Creative and fun maps (weight 0.27): The maps in the game are designed to be fun and creative, offering unique and enjoyable environments for players to compete in.
- Experience and leveling system (weight 0.22): The game features an experience and leveling system, allowing players to progress and unlock new abilities and customization options.
- Team-based strategy (weight 0.17): The game emphasizes teamwork and strategy, requiring players to work together to achieve objectives and win battles.
- Fast-paced battles (weight 0.17): The gameplay is characterized by fast-paced and hectic battles, providing an intense and exciting experience for players.
- Limited game modes at launch (weight 0.15): At launch, the game offers only one game mode, which may limit the variety of gameplay experiences available to players.
- Similar to Splatoon (weight 0.13): The game has been compared to Splatoon, suggesting similar gameplay mechanics and styles, which may appeal to fans of that game.
- Simple and chaotic game mechanics (weight 0.09): The game mechanics are simple, creating unpredictable and chaotic gameplay that adds to the fun and excitement.
- Double Fine charm (weight 0.08): The game has a distinctive charm characteristic of Double Fine productions, adding a unique and appealing style to the game.
- Lobby with player creations (weight 0.08): The game features a lobby where players can see and interact with creations made by other players, adding a social and creative aspect to the game.

Performance notes:
- Optimization and performance issues (weight 0.65): Many players report poor optimization and performance issues, including low FPS and stuttering. These problems persist even on high-end hardware, making the game difficult to play smoothly.
- Microsoft account integration issues (weight 0.1): The heavy integration with Microsoft accounts is causing problems for some players. This could be related to login issues or other account-related problems affecting gameplay.

Recommendations:
- Game highly recommended (weight 0.39): Many players recommend the game for its fun and creative aspects, finding it easy to recommend and looking forward to spending more time with it.
- Add new game modes (weight 0.32): Players suggest adding new modes such as Ranked Match, Team Deathmatch (TDM), tournaments, larger arenas, and a more lite MOBA mode.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.28): Players are frustrated due to poor optimization, leading to long matchmaking times and low FPS, even on high-end hardware. Additionally, performance issues, invincibility bugs, and limited customization options contribute to the frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.17): The core gameplay loop is not compelling enough, becoming boring quickly due to lack of variety and underwhelming mechanics. Players also express disappointment with the lack of game modes, uncomfortable controls, and the requirement of an additional subscription to play with others.
- Excitement (weight 0.15): Players are excited about the game's unique and engaging gameplay mechanics. The risky game concept and the potential for future development contribute to this excitement.
- Joy (weight 0.11): The fun and creative pottery-making system, along with the charming atmosphere, brings joy to players. The unpredictable gameplay mechanics and the enjoyment of making and breaking pots add to this positive emotion.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.07): Players enjoy the unique concept of making and decorating pots, combined with fast-paced battles. The fresh game mode and expressive pottery making contribute to the overall enjoyment.
- Frustrated (weight 0.04): Players are frustrated with the game's performance, citing unplayable low FPS and poor optimization. Tutorial issues also contribute to a negative experience.
- Surprise (weight 0.04): The game exceeded expectations, surprising players with the variety of classes and unique features.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the high production value and the unique pot-making mechanics, which stand out as exceptional features.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Players express hope for the game's future, anticipating potential support and development that could enhance the game.
- Hopeful (weight 0.02): Players are hopeful for the game's future success, expecting that additional support and updates will improve the game.
- Excited (weight 0.02): Players are excited about the game's potential and enjoy its unique features, looking forward to future developments.
- Enthusiastic (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's unique features and its potential for future updates, which they believe will enhance the gameplay experience.
- Positive (weight 0.02): Despite some optimization issues, players have a positive sentiment towards the game's concept, visuals, and mechanics, finding them enjoyable and well-designed.
- Satisfied (weight 0.02): Players are satisfied with the gameplay, pot creation, and customization options, even though there are some optimization issues.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0.02): Players enjoy the game but have mixed feelings due to its high price and lack of variety in content.}