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Kernel Hearts Guide
Kernel Hearts game characters
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KernelHearts.Guide - Tips & Guides

Practical guides, character loadouts, tower floor progression, boss strategies, chip tips, achievements and more for the Kernel Hearts game.

Start with the Beginner Guide →Browse All Guides →
3 Characters2 Bosses2 Floors44 Achievements

Official Game Trailer

Watch the reveal trailer

Popular Guides

Walkthroughs and strategy for the Kernel Hearts game.

Beginner Guide - First Run Tips & Chip Basics

New to Kernel Hearts? This beginner guide walks you through your first run: the M.A.H.O.U Unit, chip loading basics, co-op setup, and your path through the Tower of Babel.

Tower Progression - Floor Order & Gates

Both floors of the Tower of Babel in unlock order: what gates each one, what to finish before moving on, and the exact chip loadout each floor assumes you have.

Chip Farming - Best Fragment Routes

Every chip fragment farm in Kernel Hearts ranked by fragments per hour: angel patrol routes, boss fragment drops, quest rewards and endgame shard runs, with exact costs and timings.

100% Completion - All 44 Achievements

The complete 100% checklist for Kernel Hearts: all 44 achievements, both guardians, the full character roster and the Divine Seal, in the efficient order.

Start Here

What players look up most

Beginner Guide

Your first run, the chip system that anchors the early game, and the one mechanic that decides every fight

Characters

Every M.A.H.O.U Unit character, their floor, weakness and recommended chip loadout

Floors

Both floors in unlock order and how each one opens

Bosses

Both guardians with summon items, mechanics and step-by-step strategies

Chips

Attack, spell and movement chips — what to load and when within 256KB

Achievements

All 44 achievements with a local progress tracker

Popular Questions

Featured Characters & Bosses

Unit Alpha

Floor 1 · weak to Fire

Unit Beta

Floor 1 · weak to Ice

Floor 1 Guardian

Floor 1 · Easy

Floor 2 Guardian

Floor 2 · Hard

Latest Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

See all FAQ
Is Kernel Hearts free to play?

No — Kernel Hearts is a premium purchase on Steam for Windows with no confirmed microtransactions. Content updates from Ephemera Games and Whitethorn Games are expected to be free for all owners.

What platforms is Kernel Hearts on?

Currently Windows PC via Steam. Ephemera Games has not announced console versions; the system requirements page covers the minimum and recommended specs. The game supports 1-4 player co-op.

How do I unlock the second floor, The Heavenly Courtyard?

Defeat the Floor 1 Guardian in The Outer Gates and pick up the Floor Access Key it drops, then use the key on the sealed upward gate. The Guardian itself requires the Guardian Sigil, a free reward from the introductory quest chain.

How many bosses are in Kernel Hearts?

Two at launch: the Floor 1 Guardian (Floor 1, easy) and the Floor 2 Guardian (Floor 2, hard). Each boss page covers the summon item, mechanics and a step-by-step strategy.

What are chips and how do they work?

Chips are the equipment system in Kernel Hearts. You load them onto your MAHOU.OS (max 256KB budget) to customize attacks, spells, and movement. Mix and match within the budget for each fight.

How do I summon a boss?

Each boss has a specific summon item: the Guardian Sigil (free quest reward) opens the Floor 1 sealed gate, and the Divine Crown (forged from three Angel Shards) goes on the Floor 2 throne platform.