REVIEW: Tempt Fate in ‘The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood’ (PC)

There’s a desire within all of us that manifests in various ways. It can form quickly prompted by a pertinent question. Contrary, time and deeper self-introspection may be needed. In this otherworldly narrative deck builder by Deconstructeam and published by Devolver Digital, The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood will have players feeling restless and enchanted. All while armed with a crafted tarot deck and powerful ally. 

Isolated in an endless sea of glinting stars for the past 200 years resides Fortuna. Her two-story flat sits on a floating asteroid in space, far away from everyone and everything. Deprived of her magic and life outside her walls, she has been forced to sit alone with her thoughts and whatever she can muster to pass the time.

Fortuna is a powerful witch that specializes in tarot. Predicting the fall of her coven and thus causing disruption, she was exiled to reflect on her actions for a millennium. Tiring of her punishment, Fortuna summons a behemoth, Abramar, as a last resort. Together the two bond over shared similar experiences and goals.

As Fortuna, players are confined to her dwelling. Navigating between the limited options in her home is one of the few means to further the story. Isolation begins to feel real and relatable to a time we all once shared not too long ago. What would you do if you couldn’t go anywhere or talk to anyone? How would you sit with your thoughts? What memories keep playing back in your mind? Would you change things if you could? At times, we get to see these cherished moments of Fortuna’s past that is a breather from her exile. 

The game design to bind players to Fortuna’s room feels limiting and creates a sense of restlessness. An ever-so-tender piano and string ensemble casts players into Fortuna’s state of mind as she yearningly stares into the cosmos. With the help of Abramar, however, the windows to the outside world begin to open up once again. While the act seems kind through their shared experience of being cast out of society, it is purely contractional.

There’s an air of mystery about Abramar that players only get to uncover a little of. Even so, it is just enough to feel an instant, joyous familiar reunion as the two riff off each other (if you choose to engage with him that way). Both bond through their exclusion, but are motivated for their freedom for different reasons. During their time together, both are aware of the price that awaits Fortuna in asking for his help.

Summoning a behemoth is forbidden amongst witches. Doing so is punishable by execution. When faced with several more centuries to endure completely alone, the choice made by Fortuna seems almost reasonable to feel like a person again. I can’t say I wouldn’t completely rule out the option, even if I had to pay the price. What it is Fortuna is willing to give up, reflects on the player’s choice.

Close friends and family, as well as other witches from the coven, begin to pay Fortuna a visit. Players will engage in dialogue that details the life of her loved ones as well as the current state of the coven. Through a newly crafted divination deck made possible by Abramar, players utilize the deck to help fellow witches and read what fates await. 

The divination deck in The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is something players can find themselves sinking the most time into. Having several friends who do tarot as a profession and as a hobby, I’ve learned a couple of things. A tarot deck is personal and a work of art to admire. It is something to be shared with others who also have one. The fact that players can customize and reconstruct their decks as they wish embodies that personal connection. They are created through four magic elements: air, water, earth, and fire. Each element is symbolic and will form a card meaning. So depending on which magic elements you combine, the narrative will change when used during a reading.

The beautiful pixel art style, with its choice of color palette that is bewitching, carries across in its narration and through its card designs. With its cast of diverse witches and the conversations held, I couldn’t help but desire more. I wanted to see beyond the walls that Fortuna has had to endure with for two centuries. The life and community of witches felt entirely intriguing. More so, once the story starts to lean into the politics surrounding the coven.

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood crafts a story that encapsulates the feelings of being restricted while nudging players towards a place that may feel uncomfortable yet relatable. It is a story worth experiencing as choices begin to matter and fate rests in your hands.

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood releases August 16th on Steam and Nintendo Switch.