Whitethorn Games is bringing Ephemera Games’ upcoming action roguelike Kernel Hearts to Tokyo Game Show, giving attendees a chance to play the game ahead of its September 2026 release.
Ascend the Tower and Defeat a God
In Kernel Hearts, players take on the role of a member of M.A.H.O.U Unit, an elite squad of super-powered android magical girls. Working alone or with up to three allies, players must climb the mythical Tower of Babel, battle increasingly powerful enemies, and ultimately overthrow a god to prevent the world’s extinction.
Each run takes players through different celestial domains, where they can gain temporary skills and magical abilities to strengthen their attacks, spells, movement and combos. Powerful boss guardians stand between the squad and the tower’s highest reaches.
Build Your Ultimate Unit
Defeat is only the beginning. After each run, players return to the laboratory and use rewards from previous missions to upgrade their unit. Up to 256KB of skill chips can be unlocked and equipped, allowing players to customize their abilities around their preferred playstyle.
The Tower also comes with its own dangers. Staying in an area for too long summons increasingly powerful enemies, while players can harness the Tower’s energy to dispel curses and temporarily transform into their ultimate magical form for devastating attacks.
Fight Together, Build Bonds
Kernel Hearts supports solo play as well as cooperative multiplayer for up to four players, allowing squads to combine their skills and abilities as they climb the Tower.
Along the way, players can also encounter unique allies within each celestial domain. Building relationships with these characters can deepen their bonds and potentially lead to romance.
Kernel Hearts is scheduled to launch in September 2026 for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2.
