Kernel Hearts Sets September 17 Release, Demo Adds Japanese Voice
Whitethorn Games and Ephemera Games announced on August 18 that the roguelike action RPG Kernel Hearts will launch on September 17, 2026, local time, with a Japanese release following on September 18 due to time zone differences. The game is set to arrive on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, as well as Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. In Kernel Hearts, players join the android magical girl unit M.A.H.O.U to climb the Tower of Babel, battle angel-like creatures, and defeat the god waiting at the top. The game supports single-player and up to four-player online co-op. Each run involves collecting souls to level up, choosing new spells, and using mementos for various effects. The demo, available since April 1, has been updated with adjustments to mementos and relics, enemy stats, item drops, and UI improvements. Japanese voice acting has been added, requiring a new game start to experience story scenes with Japanese audio. The demo covers two floors, while the full game offers about seven. The developer, Ephemera Games, is an Argentina-based studio founded in 2022, and Kernel Hearts is its first title, developed over roughly four years.