PrismScroll Phoenix 4+

Unfortunately A Downgrade

I’d like to preface my review by saying it is in no way referring to the PrismScroll team, and is only meant to be constructive criticism to make this app even better because I believe in their products.

That said, I fear this app is really taking away what was so simple and effective about using PrismScroll and specifically the connection it had to PrismScroll DM. Especially since it is the only option for Android users.

As a DM I am always looking for ways to quicken the process of searching for rules and increase immersion, and with this app you *should* be able to do that, however I feel the user interface and lack of cross compatibility causes this particular app to suffer in that regard.

Let’s start with UI: The UI of this app is quite clunky compared to PrismScroll. While I know they are separate products, I believe the user interface could have remained at the very least similar to that of PrismScroll. It would make the ability for players to help each other find things within the app run much smoother between different types of devices.

Cross Compatibility: This one suffers the most. I would gladly pay to make things easier for my players, and myself, and have done so quite often in fact. The issue here is that with the lack of compatibility with the PrismScroll DM app or at the very least an export to PDF feature, as a DM I’m left with no reason to use this app over something else like D&DBeyond. I would really really love to see more integration for this app with other apps you’ve also made. I feel that is what made your system special.

Overall I feel that this app was a downgrade from what was great about PrismScroll. I believe if you had expanded on PrismScroll and given it an Android adaptation that also allowed syncing with PrismScroll DM, you would’ve had a gold mine on your hands.

I’d also like to say I can see your team forcing me to amend my review with some work. I believe in your apps, and that’s why I took the time for this review. Once you bring what was good about PrismScroll to Android in a more attainable and connected way, you’ll have my vote for PrismScroll Phoenix.

Eh.

App is sub par. Doesn’t have features for all game systems as it suggests. Lacks automated features that character managers have. There’s better options that support multiple game systems.

The idea of going to third party servers like discord, etc. to download pirated content is shady and is a hard no from me.

Developer Response ,

Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I am sorry that you did not find what you are looking for. The goal of phoenix is to build a community that wants to expand on the ttrpg that they play. The goal is to allow the users to create the automations that they want.

You are correct that we don’t have sheets and content for most systems outside d&d5e. We are still a very new system and it will take time to build out that information for each system. While it is not a plug and play for most systems, it has the options and ability to be and that’s what we are focusing on right now.

As far as imported content goes, all public systems have a “foundation” and “non-foundation” compendium tag. Foundation content is managed by us and is something that the game system allows us to use open source. Most games don’t allow you to use all the content. The goal of importing and exporting is for you to be able to share the content that you have made that is relevant to you and your party with other people that you know. Not necessarily random people.

If you are willing to spend the money to buy all the digital content for the systems you want, then we are not the product for you. All the systems you want to play have their own product specifically tailored for their game and they are going to be able to supply you with a better experience, at the expense of your wallet. If you are willing to put in a little legwork for content that you may have physical book versions of and don’t want to repay for digital content, then we are.

I hope that clears up some of your points and I wish you luck finding something that works for you and your games! Have fun