Kernel Hearts, an action RPG with roguelike elements about magical girls fighting angels to save the world, is out now on Xbox. The game comes from Ephemera Games, an Argentine team, and is published by Whitethorn Games as part of the ID@Xbox indie program. It costs $19.99 and is available through Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. Whitethorn Games detailed the release in a post on Xbox Wire published September 17, 2026.
The M.A.H.O.U Unit and the Tower of Babel
Kernel Hearts is set in a post-apocalyptic Patagonia, telling the story of a world that collapsed and is now trying to rebuild. Players join the M.A.H.O.U Unit and climb the Tower of Babel, eliminating angelic creatures as they dethrone God and try to save a world drowning in ashes. Four playable characters make up the unit. Fernet fights with swords and spirits and is the most versatile of the group. Spika fights up close with a katana, using clean and disciplined attacks. Laika wields a massive sword and heavy attacks. Dolce folds performance and dance into her fighting style. According to director Akira, each character’s animations, silhouette, magic, movement, and attack rhythm are built to communicate her personality at a glance. Each level culminates in an intense boss fight against the domain’s guardian.
Runs, Chips, and Co-op
The game combines the epic stories of RPGs and JRPGs with the bite-sized run times of a roguelike. It supports solo play and multiplayer co-op for up to four friends. Between runs, players return to the last memory backup in a laboratory on the outskirts of humanity’s last holdout, spending rewards to unlock and equip chips onto Unit MAHOU.OS, with up to 256KB of chips. Players can also transform into a magical girl, dispelling the Heavenly Curse to unleash a devastating attack and attain a true form for a short period. Outside of combat, players can interact with the tower’s inhabitants and give gifts to deepen their bond.
Nearly Six Years in the Making
Kernel Hearts was born in a game jam in 2020 as a rough idea that would become Babel, and has been nearly six years in the making. The release lands alongside other indie action roguelikes that have recently arrived on Xbox, including Ascend to ZERO and Armatus.
