For a while, it seemed like Double Fine might be struggling under Microsoft’s corporate umbrella. The game studio, led by Tim Schafer, was beloved for offbeat titles like Brütal Legend and Broken Age. But after being acquired in 2019, its only new release for years was a long-awaited sequel to PsychoNauts. However, of late, Double Fine is on something of a roll. Last year the studio released Keeper, a game about a sentient lighthouse. This week, it launched Kiln, a multiplayer brawler with adorable spirits and an abundance of pottery.

Kiln is at its most basic a four-on-four competitive game where the goal for each team is to gather water across a map in order to extinguish the opposing team's kiln. Douse the enemy’s kiln first, and you win. It’s a streamlined take on League of Legends with clear objectives but no leveling up or minions.

Layered over this simple core is a pottery theme that adds a myriad of interesting twists. Each player is a cute floating spirit that inhabits a pot to participate in matches. The kind of pot you inhabit makes a significant difference, acting as a character class: big pots can take more damage but hold less water, while fragile bottle-shaped pots are perfect for offense.

The best part is crafting these pots yourself using a virtual pottery wheel. It's fun and tactile as you use the joysticks to shape the clay. As you progress in the game, you unlock various ways to customize them through add-ons or colorful glazes. It’s incredibly satisfying taking full control over your character’s appearance.

While Kiln is not a shooter, it reminds me most of Splatoon. Both take an otherwise intimidating genre—online competitive multiplayer—and turn it into something playful and approachable. The game requires teamwork but can be played without voice chat. You just need to pay attention to where your teammates are so that at least somebody is focused on defending your kiln and somebody is splashing water on the opponents' base.