Kernal Hearts Review: A NieR-Inspired Roguelike Action RPG

Kernal Hearts presents a post-apocalyptic narrative where android warriors, known as M.A.H.O.U. units, are recruited to scale a mysterious Tower of Babel. The story follows engineer Fernet and her allies Dolce, Laika, and Spika as they combat angels and uncover the origins of their existence in an alternate timeline shaped by wartime experimentation. While the premise draws clear inspiration from NieR titles through its themes of war and artificial life, the gameplay mechanics require refinement. Players engage in action-RPG combat featuring combo attacks, skill usage, and roguelike progression systems involving relics and passive bonuses.

Critiques highlight several friction points, including a finicky dodge system and camera behavior that fails to center properly during lock-on sequences. Leveling up demands manual intervention at shrine locations rather than occurring automatically, which can interrupt flow. Additionally, generous enemy health pools and restrictive time limits on standard difficulties may force players to adjust strategies or lower settings for optimal enjoyment. Despite these technical hurdles, the visual design and emotional character arcs remain compelling strengths.