The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood review: pure tarot deck building magic

Fate is funny, isn’t it? There’s no certainty — of fate or free will — and yet humans have spent our existence debating deterministic beliefs. Throughout history and culture, in art and literature, we’ve imagined worlds determined by destiny. What is weaving the fabric of one’s life? Or is it that our destinies are made up of the tiny decisions we make each day, a series of fates that change every second we’re alive?

Deconstructeam is a developer that keeps returning to the same themes: Gods Watches You, it’s the fate of the universe; in Red Strings Club, it’s the nature of happiness; and now, with Sisters of the Cosmic WheelDeconstructeam considers destiny’s power. The Cosmic wheel SisterhoodThis is a tale told by tarot cards and dialog. Fortuna is a fortune-telling human turned witch who’s been in exile on an asteroid for 200 years; she foretold the fate of her coven of witches and was punished for the implications. Fortuna, a fortune-teller turned witch, is trapped on an asteroid for 200 years. She calls upon the assistance of a forbidden otherworldly creature to help her escape. This being, called a Behemoth, gives Fortuna back her magic in the form of a new tarot-like deck, which is built over the course of the game, but for a price — that price is determined by choices made throughout The Cosmic wheel Sisterhood.

Image: Deconstructeam/Devolver Digital

As Fortuna, I make decisions about her life and what matters to her, all of which impact the game’s trajectory. I quickly learn that Fortuna’s card readings are not just telling the future, but shaping it — and a large part of the story lies in understanding and contemplating that power. It’s an interesting causal relationship between the visions I have of the future and the series of events they create.

The Cosmic wheel Sisterhood’s story is laid out in dialogue with the Behemoth and a bevy of witches that come to visit the asteroid. The fate — or maybe it’s destiny — of the coven is an expansive political drama (including an election) tied up in personal friendship and love. The first hour or so is slow, but a web of witches quickly tangled me up — I was soon gobbling up their drama and helping them understand themselves and their community. The Cosmic wheel SisterhoodIt may not be a fast-paced book, but it’s characters and the messy web of their relationships is enough to keep you interested. It is the writing that makes this book so interesting. The Cosmic wheel SisterhoodWhat it is, what makes the game stand out as a complete package. Characters drive the story even in the lagging parts. These people and creatures, while complex and sincere, are also thoughtfully written.

The tarot cards are a fascinating storytelling device, one I’m able to shape myself in Sisters of the Cosmic Wheel’s deck building sections. This process is centered around the Behemoth. He grants the ability to make cards. I am able to put together a backdrop, a character and several decoration. Combining all three creates a card that can be interpreted in a few different ways — each card will have a few different keywords tied to it, and those keywords will then influence the options of interpretation. After choosing these three major parts, The Cosmic wheel SisterhoodThis allows me to customize the look of the card. The deck is not only about the aesthetics, it’s also a way for me to be more invested. Deconstructeam is impressive in terms of their creativity and variety. After creating a deck, I use these cards to better understand the other witches, their hopes for the future, and the paths their lives are taking — as I interpret the next turn in the story, I’m also changing it with each pull.

Image: Deconstructeam/Devolver Digital

In the end, however, tarot cards are as random as any other deck: If it’s not in the cards, as they say, it’s not in the cards. You might be wondering: If I pull a card and make a decision that alters the game in some way I don’t like, can’t I just reload the game? No, actually. When a card gets pulled, you simply have to run with it, no matter the outcome; that’s fate, and the ability to wipe that clean doesn’t make sense in a game like this. There were times when I was playing and regretted a decision I made or begrudgingly accepted a tarot reading that wasn’t ideal, but I think that frustration or regret is part of what makes Sisters of the Cosmic Wheel feel weighty. Deconstructeam’s restrictions reinforce this idea.

Even as I dig into the intricacies of the deck building systems, the game’s pacing issues continue — particularly in one portion that requires me to go through a certain amount of in-game days to proceed. Take on the Politics of The Cosmic wheel Sisterhood’s world means campaigning for roughly 30 or so day cycles, talking to characters to better understand what the witchy world has been going through while in isolation. The reading I did before this part made me wonder why Fortuna had to advance in this manner, and this segment of the game felt like it was being dragged on for no good reason. The game felt, at times, as if it was a series of cycles just to make the experience longer. I believe a more focused and concise story would have made a greater impact.

The game was great. Sisters of the Cosmic Wheel once, but it’s clear that it’s a game with a lot of different paths and outcomes. Even though fate might be predetermined, The Cosmic wheel Sisterhood’s ever-branching story has many conclusions.

The Cosmic wheel Sisterhood Released on 16th August on Windows PC and Nintendo Switch. Devolver Digital supplied a PC download code to be used for the review. Vox Media partners with affiliates. Vox Media earns commissions from affiliate products, although this doesn’t influence the editorial content. Find out more about affiliate links. additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.