Game Profile

Kernel Hearts

Name: Kernel Hearts
Author: Ephemera Games

カーネル・ハーツ · 커널 하트 · 内核之心 · 核桃心

Kernel HeartsKernelHeartsカーネル・ハーツ커널 하트内核之心核桃心M.A.H.O.U UnitMAHOU UnitTower of BabelBabelMAHOU.OSHeavenly Cursemagical girl transformationskill chips256KB skill chipsMementosRelics

Lost WishesFernetDolceSeraphGabrielHannielAngelsdomain guardiansmemory backupcelestial domainsmagical girlsandroid magical girlspost-apocalyptic worldcombo systemcharacter bondingboss guardians

By Wynie Vey·Published Aug 24, 2026·Updated Sep 24, 2026·Last checked Sep 24, 2026·Official sources verified

PC PS5 Xbox Series X|S Switch 2

KERNEL HEARTS : GAME PROFILE

Kernel Hearts is a third-person action RPG built around repeatable roguelike expeditions through the Tower of Babel. You control members of the M.A.H.O.U Unit, an elite force of four android magical girls trying to save a world being consumed by ashes by fighting the angels protecting the tower. Each run combines fast real-time attacks, spells, movement abilities, boss battles, and temporary powers that let players create different combat builds. When an expedition ends, the unit returns to a memory backup and uses earned rewards to equip permanent skill chips before attempting the tower again. The game supports both solo play and online co-op with up to three allies, while quieter moments let players build relationships with inhabitants they meet.

Game summary

Global release

Sep 17, 2026

Model

Premium

Developer

Ephemera Games

Publisher

Whitethorn Games

Genres

Action RPGAction RoguelikeRoguelike Roguelite Hack and Slash Action Action-Adventure RPG Adventure Indie Online Co-op Co-op Multiplayer Single-player PvE Third-person Visual Novel

Platforms

PC PS5 Xbox Series X|S Switch 2

Official site

kernelhearts.com

Latest update

Kernel Hearts launched for PC on September 17, 2026 through Steam and Epic Games Store. The released PC version supports single-player, online co-op, and groups of up to four players.

Release date and status

Kernel Hearts released globally for PC on September 17, 2026. PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 versions remain officially announced, but release dates for those console editions have not been published.

Global release	Sep 17, 2026
Platforms	PC PlayStation 5 Xbox Series X\|S Nintendo Switch 2
Global status	Released
Pricing model	Premium
Availability	Steam Epic Games Store Steam Demo Epic Games Store DemoPlayStation 5 release announcedXbox Series X/S release announcedNintendo Switch 2 release announced

Platforms and availability

Kernel Hearts is playable on PC through Steam and Epic Games Store. PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 editions are planned for later release. The PC version supports solo play and online co-op with up to four players.

PC PlayStation 5 Xbox Series X|S Nintendo Switch 2

Gameplay and setting

Kernel Hearts combines real-time action combat with a roguelike run structure. Players mix attacks, spells, movement abilities, and temporary powers while advancing through the Tower of Babel, with each level leading toward a guardian boss. Defeat sends the active unit back to its stored memory backup, but rewards earned during expeditions can be spent on skill chips. Up to 256KB of chips can be equipped through MAHOU.OS to customize a character for later runs.

Players are members of the M.A.H.O.U Unit, an elite group of super-powered android magical girls attempting to save a world drowning in ashes. The Tower imposes a Heavenly Curse that becomes increasingly dangerous when players remain in an area, but gathering the tower's energy can dispel the curse and temporarily unlock a magical girl's stronger true form. Outside combat, players can interact with inhabitants of the tower, give gifts, and deepen relationships before continuing their climb toward God.

Trailer, screenshots, and media

The selected gameplay trailer shows real-time battles and fully voiced scenes, while the gallery provides seven in-game views of Kernel Hearts' combat and world presentation.

Kernel Hearts Gameplay TrailerWatch on YouTube

Screenshots

Developer and publisher

Kernel Hearts is developed by Ephemera Games, an independent game studio based in Argentina. Whitethorn Games publishes the game.

Developer	Ephemera Games
Publisher	Whitethorn Games
Official website	Kernel Hearts

Download and availability

The released PC version can be purchased through Steam and Epic Games Store. A free demo is also available through both storefronts. The announced console editions are not yet available for purchase or download.

Download Kernel Hearts on Steam

Steam

Open

Download Kernel Hearts on Epic Games Store

Epic Games Store

Open

Download Kernel Hearts on Steam

Steam

Open

Download Kernel Hearts on Epic Games Store

Epic Games Store

Open

System / Device Requirements

Steam currently publishes official Windows minimum and recommended specifications for Kernel Hearts. The minimum configuration targets 1080p gameplay at Low or Medium settings, and Steam notes that performance can vary during online co-op.

PC specification	Minimum	Recommended
Architecture	64-bit processor and operating system	64-bit processor and operating system
OS	Windows 10 or Above	Windows 10 or Above
CPU	Intel Core i7-9750H @ 2.60GHz or equivalent	Intel Core i7-10700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or equivalent
RAM	8 GB RAM	16 GB RAM
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or equivalent	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 / GTX 1660 Ti or equivalent
Storage	15 GB available space	15 GB available space

Architecture64-bit processor and operating system

OSWindows 10 or Above

CPUIntel Core i7-9750H @ 2.60GHz or equivalent

RAM8 GB RAM

GPUNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or equivalent

Storage15 GB available space

Architecture64-bit processor and operating system

OSWindows 10 or Above

CPUIntel Core i7-10700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or equivalent

RAM16 GB RAM

GPUNVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 / GTX 1660 Ti or equivalent

Storage15 GB available space

PlayStation 5 specification	Value
Supported hardware	PlayStation 5

Supported hardware

Value: PlayStation 5

Xbox Series X/S specification	Value
Supported hardware	Xbox Series X/S

Supported hardware

Value: Xbox Series X/S

Nintendo Switch 2 specification	Value
Supported hardware	Nintendo Switch 2

Supported hardware

Value: Nintendo Switch 2

FAQ

Is Kernel Hearts playable solo or does it require other players?

Kernel Hearts supports both solo play and online co-op with up to four players total. The full game and its demo both support single-player runs, so an internet connection and additional players are not required to progress through the Tower of Babel.

What is the MAHOU.OS chip system?

MAHOU.OS is the permanent progression system in Kernel Hearts. After each run, players return to a laboratory and spend earned rewards to unlock and equip skill chips onto their unit. Each unit supports up to 256KB of chips, which can boost attacks, spells, movement options, and other stats to shape a preferred playstyle.

What is the Heavenly Curse and the magical girl transformation?

Lingering too long on any floor of the Tower draws increasingly powerful enemies as the Heavenly Curse intensifies. Players can harness the Tower's energy to dispel the curse, which briefly triggers a supercharged magical girl transformation that deals devastating damage to nearby foes before reverting to normal.

What platforms will Kernel Hearts launch on?

Kernel Hearts launches September 17, 2026 on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. All platforms launch on the same global date.

Does Kernel Hearts have a playable demo?

Yes. A free demo is available now on Steam and the Epic Games Store. The demo supports single-player and online co-op and received a content update ahead of Steam Next Fest in June 2026.

What are the main playable characters?

The four playable units in the M.A.H.O.U Squad are Fernet (the captain, a saber-wielding character from Argentina with telekinetic powers), Spika (a melee-focused katana user with strong mobility), Laika (a greatsword-wielding unit), and Dolce (a whip-wielding unit). Each has distinct combat styles and stat profiles suited to different co-op roles.

What language options does Kernel Hearts include?

Kernel Hearts supports English full audio and text, with text-only localization in French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. Twelve languages total are supported.

Does Kernel Hearts require an internet connection for single-player?

No. A developer has stated that multiplayer and internet access are optional, with the same game content available in single-player and difficulty scaling according to the number of players.

Who are the main playable characters?

The four playable units in the M.A.H.O.U Squad are Fernet, Spika, Laika, and Dolce. Each character has a distinct weapon, combat style, and stat profile suited to different roles.

Which text languages does Kernel Hearts support?

The PC version supports English, Japanese, Spanish (Latin America), Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese interface text and subtitles.

Is Kernel Hearts co-op local or online?

Co-op is online, with groups of up to four players. The Steam version lists online co-op and cross-platform multiplayer but does not list shared-screen or split-screen co-op.

Which Steam platform features does Kernel Hearts support?

The Steam version supports achievements, Steam Cloud, Family Sharing, online co-op, and cross-platform multiplayer.