- Games
- Action Games
Kiln is secretly a mech game, I'm convinced
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Double Fine)
Share
Share by:
- Copy link
- X
Psychonauts and Keeper developer Double Fine has a new game coming in spring 2026. It's called Kiln, and it's a rare competitive multiplayer game for a studio known for refreshing single-player oddities.
Kiln sounds to me like a mech game in disguise. Announced at today's big Xbox Developer Direct 2026 live show, and described in an Xbox Wire post featuring project lead Derek Brand, Kiln is essentially a team-based brawler where your battle suit is a clay pot. Rather than tuning and assembling mechs, you'll sculpt and shape clay to balance offense and defense. Pots have weight classes, different special attacks, and designs can be shared with other players to hop right into battles.
You may like-
Upcoming PC games: New PC games for 2026 and beyond
-
Xbox Developer Direct 2026 live – all the Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation updates as they happen
-
Amid The Game Awards hubbub, Xbox announces a January Developer Direct featuring the Fable and Forza Horizon 6 studio
"We wanted to make the pot-making super easy and accessible – it's just a button and a control stick – and you can make any kind of shape you wanted. We wanted people to immediately feel like they're masters at this craft," Brand says.
Once you've made your ideal pot, you'll drop into PvP fights and work to shatter the enemy team. Quench looks like the classic 4v4 mode; as you whale on each other's pots, you'll race to carry water to the enemy's kiln. It sounds like a clever little application of the pottery motif, with the capacity of your pot affecting your movement, attacks, and ability to transport water. Likewise, some areas or tunnels can only be used with certain shapes or sizes.
Double Fine promises a variety of maps that flesh out the game's world. You play as a little spirit dwelling within pots, and the maps depict the domains of gods ranging from Greek to Egyptian theology. If you've been playing Hades 2, some of the theming may sound familiar.
"For example, Hermes has a map set in his shipping facility, where packages are constantly being sent out and treadmills going back and forth shooting packages you'll have to avoid. Then there's Dionysus' map, which is like a Boogie Lounge, which features a dance floor at its center – if you step onto one of the tiles, you're forced to dance, creating a dynamic battleground where some players are fighting while others end up dancing," Brand says.
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Between rounds, you can hang out at a social hub called the Wedge, which has a mix of decorations, minigames. and an in-game store (that seems to deal exclusively in credits earned by playing the game). Double Fine says more content will be added post-launch.
Kiln is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC this spring following an upcoming closed beta.
Xbox confirms the Forza Horizon 6 release date it previously leaked, but you're going to have to wait for the PS5 version.
CATEGORIES PC Gaming Xbox Series X PS5 Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Austin WoodSocial Links NavigationSenior writerAustin has been a game journalist for 12 years, having freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree. He's been with GamesRadar+ since 2019. They've yet to realize his position is a cover for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a lot of news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.
Show More CommentsYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
Upcoming PC games: New PC games for 2026 and beyond
Xbox Developer Direct 2026 live – all the Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation updates as they happen
Amid The Game Awards hubbub, Xbox announces a January Developer Direct featuring the Fable and Forza Horizon 6 studio
Upcoming Xbox Series X games for 2026 and beyond
Clockwork Revolution: Everything we know so far
Highguard: Everything you need to know about the new F2P shooter
Latest in Action Games
While Gears of War: E-Day rewinds the clock, The Coalition is looking to freshen up the 20-year-old series
Gears of War: E-Day is set in one city as it's both "a rich environment" and "the best gameplay playground"
The Coalition believes that Gears of War: E-Day "has the potential to be one of the best stories in the Gears franchise"
In a games industry dominated by safe bets, Capcom keeps getting weird with it
Tomb Raider's co-creator "really didn't want to alter" her, even after a whole new model was created for Japan
Assassin's Creed Hexe's new lead scriptwriter is actually "guiding another team on other content"
Latest in News
Double Fine's next game is a PvP brawler with pottery-powered team battles and a full social hub, out this spring
Pokemon dev Game Freak sets summer 2026 release window for its new "one-person, one-dog action RPG"
Xbox confirms the Forza Horizon 6 release date it previously leaked but you're going to have to wait for the PS5 version
Former Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake dev says the end was "close," but Ubisoft had other "priorities"
Real-life Super Mario Wonder Talking Flower will nag you to eat well like an overbearing parent
Nintendo Switch 2 is still the fastest-selling console in US history – though it hasn't beaten the Game Boy Advance
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Looking for a good 2-player board game? This superhero adventure is worth suiting up for- 2Trails Beyond the Horizon review: "This JRPG's thrilling real-time and turn-based combat evolves Metaphor ReFantazio's hybrid battles, making up for a poorly paced adventure"
- 3This alt-history board game is still a gold standard for modern strategy
- 4Skate Story review: "A beautiful and unique skateboarding game with great, stylized visuals set in a grungy underworld"
- 5Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"
1Return to Silent Hill review: "Neither an impressive adaptation nor coherent enough to act as a standalone film"- 228 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
- 3Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
- 4Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
- 5Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
1Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"- 2A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a surprisingly heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
- 3Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
- 4Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”
- 5Fallout season 2 review: "A hell of a lot of fun despite being overcrowded and convoluted"
