COSM-GAME Kernel Hearts
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
On this page
Latest update
On August 17, 2026, Game Director Akira announced that Kernel Hearts will launch on September 17 and released the final major update for its pre-release demo. The update added Japanese voice acting, rebalanced Mementos and Relics, adjusted enemy durability and encounter rewards, improved UI and enemy visual effects, and included further performance optimization for lower-end PCs.
Release date and status
Kernel Hearts is scheduled for a Global release on September 17, 2026. Steam and Epic Games Store both list that date for the PC release. Whitethorn Games' current game page also identifies PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 as announced platforms.
| Global release | Sep 17, 2026 |
| Platforms | |
| Global status | Upcoming |
| Pricing model | Premium |
| Availability | SteamEpic Games StoreSteam DemoEpic Games Store DemoPlayStation 5 release announcedXbox Series X/S release announcedNintendo Switch 2 release announced |
Platforms and availability
Kernel Hearts is announced for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. PC distribution is confirmed through Steam and Epic Games Store. Steam supports single-player and online co-op, and the game is designed for solo runs or multiplayer groups of up to four players.
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.
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
For PC, the full game is available for pre-purchase through Epic Games Store and can be wishlisted on Steam ahead of release. A free Kernel Hearts demo is downloadable through both Steam and Epic Games Store. Console editions are announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
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 |
| PlayStation 5 specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Supported hardware | PlayStation 5 |
- Value
- PlayStation 5
| Xbox Series X/S specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Supported hardware | Xbox Series X/S |
- Value
- Xbox Series X/S
| Nintendo Switch 2 specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Supported hardware | Nintendo Switch 2 |
- Value
- Nintendo Switch 2