Single-player or multiplayer: Single-player | Free to play: No
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood begins with a witch who lives on an asteroid. Her name is Fortuna, and she was exiled from her coven after her prediction of doom angered the head witch in charge; the game begins on year 200 of Fortuna’s 1,000-year sentence. Fed up and lonely, she summons an ancient Behemoth to help her escape the space rock and enact revenge on her former sisters. It all plays out in classic Deconstructeam style, with densely detailed, vibrant pixel art.
At its core, Cosmic Wheel is a visual novel with narrative paths dictated by the player’s choices. The immortal Behemoth, Ábramar, is Fortuna’s main companion — but this witch is incredibly social for someone who’s supposed to be exiled. As Fortuna rebuilds her tarot deck with Ábramar, she reads the fates and fortunes of visitors that find her asteroid, and players are able to dictate, to an extent, what each card will reveal.
As the narrative progresses, a pivotal election takes center stage and Fortuna’s manipulations — I mean, tarot readings — become more high-stakes, with life-or-death consequences. Cosmic Wheel is best played under the light of a full moon, but really, it’s a lovely experience at any hour. — J.C.
