Indulge me while I pose three questions. When we make a choice in a video game, are we casually molding its entire reality to our will? Is such an act moral, considering we're the only character with agency? Most importantly, can a game explore these questions while also having a badass warrior-witch character who I desperately want to step on me? Apparently... yeah.

Make no mistake, Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is a visual novel. The vast majority of its gameplay consists of chatting with a colourful cast of characters and making narrative-affecting decisions. You also create custom tarot cards, a system which is implemented very well — I’m someone whose Minecraft base was a wooden box at endgame, and even I spent ages hand-crafting my deck. It’s definitely an exemplar in its genre; Deconstructeam’s writing is spectacular, eliciting frequent laughs while also containing solid emotional depth.

The game’s setting — a post-human cosmic coven of immortal witches — is used for far more than just flavour. It tackles how these beings find purpose and govern themselves, leveraging significant portions of its narrative to questions of law and authority. Love and care has been lavished on every single witch, and it shows. Each one that visits your asteroid home has their own distinct personality, shining through within a few lines of dialogue. There’s also meaningful trans representation, which we always love!

If I had to point out one aspect of the game that didn’t completely satisfy, it would be the soundtrack. It has a very spaced-out lofi style, which is pleasant enough as background music; however, it disappoints in emotional moments by just not having enough substance to it. Its overarching ‘chill’ theme and downtempo style doesn’t always mesh with a game that’s often head-first in heavy themes and intense conflict. I struggle to remember a single melody or motif from the soundtrack after my first playthrough, which is quite a pity.

Regardless, this is one of my favourite games in recent years. I can’t stress enough how much of a joy it is to sell your soul to a dashingly handsome Eldritch horror in under an hour; to unwind and read some damn good interactive fiction; (embedded narrative, anybody?) and to read the cards for these wonderful witches, time after time. Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is another Deconstructeam masterclass, and an experience you shouldn't miss!