Reviews

• Grilled Pineapple

  Dec 10, 2022

  While just about everything about this software is almost everything that I need to make maps for my games and as much as I would like to support the developers for this but I find it difficult to recommend it for one reason, the controls makes it hard for me to use, navigate and build things compared to other map making software that are also available on steam that I'm currently using.
• gamedeal user

  Dec 11, 2022

  There are many simpler map editors that perform considerably more efficiently; but, when it does not work as promised, you cannot add custom material, and it is full of strange design decisions, it is difficult to adore. I intended to make Star Trek and Warhammer 40K maps, however it doesn't support the styles I want, doesn't have grimdark elements, and the output doesn't function with Foundry. I'm requesting a refund.
• Maraudering Giant

  Dec 12, 2022

  Until the developers decide to provide information on how to USE the product in terms of exporting MORE than just the IMAGE for the map to anywhere this product is useless. If I wanted to do tripple the work and have to readd my dynamic lighting information in roll20, I would have went and got photoshop and 40 other programs totaling 8BILLION dollars and done the work myself. Why are you bothering to offer a product when there is NO information ANYWHERE on how to use it? You have not only wasted my money and my time, but made yourselves and your product look like a joke, congratulations if that is what you are going for you have definitely succeeded and can go ahead and close your business. NOTHING is provided for how to use this product to expor the infomration that yoiu need anywhere, not on your pathetic excuse for an attempt of a website https://chronosbuilder.com/, not on google, not on ANY of the sites that you CLAIM that your product is set to work with and supposedly import to, not on Redit, NOWHERE. It is NOT your customers JOB to provide this information and there is NOTHING in your product to even remotely indicate how to do this, or how to even OPERATE YOUR PRODUCT. WHY BOTHER? YOu buy this folks, don't expect it to work right.
• Gandarf

  Jan 22, 2023

  At least as it is right now, I simply cannot recommend this. The usability is just plain awful; effective editing is hit-or-miss at the very best, and nearly impossible at worst. Attempting to move things is practically a dice-roll; if you're lucky it'll go where you're trying to move it; most likely it'll go to some random place nearby where it'll get stuck. Sometimes, you can't even move things at all without using the manual coordinate tool. In addition, I've never gotten it to maintain grid-orientation when trying to group move things; every item must be adjusted singularly in order to properly restore grid-alignment after a group move. If the group-item tool worked properly with the coordinate tool, it wouldn't be a problem; the coordinate tool only impacts single items unfortunately. I'm not really sure what the purpose of the "Chronos Button" is, either. Theoretically it lets you change the theme of a map, I suppose, but that seems a rather....niche need. I'd much rather reliable editing tools than a button that quick-changes a map's theme, especially since I'm most likely to need the editting tools after changing themes. The assets are nice, but it's actually using them that is the real source of pain. I've done my best to give it a fair shake, but right now its just frustrating. A shame as it's probably currently one of the only means in its "class" of building Sci-Fi maps. If I were to recommend this, it would be in the hopes that further cash flow would help improve the usability long-term.
• Robert4818

  Jan 26, 2023

  I want to like this. I have Dungeon Alchemist and I love it. But, the tool needs a major UI overhaul. It's organized badly, the UI is often unresponsive (meaning, buttons like the one that should generate a room simply don't work.) It's hard to recommend a product whenyou can't get the core functionality to run well.
• Jorra

  Feb 17, 2023

  Waiting for some time before I write my review gave me a moment to reflect on what this software is, what it is not (yet) and what I believe it will be in the future. If you are not interested in the story here is the tl;dr: "If you're searching for a mapmaker tool for semi-realistic backgrounds with VTT support and auto lights/walls baked in that is not limited to fantasy: This is it! If not: Go buy Dungeon Alchemist." No with this out of the way, let me say that I'm very excited about this piece of software. I'm a GM mainly for Eclipse Phase and other hard SciFi TTRPGs which I'm hosting via Foundry VTT. While there are some high quality maps out there (especially the fully animated and looped "Cybermaps") it's especially hard to find easy to use mini dungeons, since the systems are far more niche that most fantasy systems (most of all D&D obviously). So while there are maps out there, I have basically two options: 1. Go with the ~40 cool Cybermaps (or one of the few other single purpose maps that look nice) and use them to transport my full experience, even if this means reusing some of them sometimes. 2. Use the more decent modular map systems that are available on some market places I decided to go with the latter. But while these modular maps are cool, they need a massive amount of time in Photoshop, before they're usable. And after this I still have no walls, no lights, no windows and all my maps are on a black background (or sometimes a generic "stars in the endless universe" theme. This is where Chronos builder was my hope. And let me be frank: I was sort of disappointed when the first version FINALLY hit the store. I saw the potential, but there was no way I was using this, as Chronos didn't even map the walls correctly to my backgrounds, which was just frustrating. This and the fact that the auto generation was not implemented in the first version was a deal breaker for me. Potential: yes. Usable: no. But I then remembered the first weeks of Dungeon Alchemist. A tool that is - to be very hones - FAR more refined than Chronos. And really it's the better choice for your D&Desk, fantasy TTRPG. But if you're looking for Cthulu in the 1920s? Cyberpunk & Shadowrun in a sprawl near your town or - as I mentioned earlier - any SciFi Scenario? Not a chance. So I gave the developer(s) some time and was rewarded for waiting a bit. Still Chronos Builder has a long way to go. It is not yet at a point from which you can just auto generate your maps in a few seconds and start playing. But if you're a GM for more than simple fantasy environments who struggles with their Photoshop/Importing PNGs/Settings up lights & walls manually-workflow as I did? You might want to keep an eye on this piece of software, as exporting works properly now, and I personally have the feeling that Mistwall is in fact listening to their customers, making Chronos better and better with each update. My suggestion to the guys from the Mistwall marketing team: Just release it under "Early Access" next time. This will give you more time and saves you a lot of hater comments and disappointed people for some time, so you can concentrate on the great work you're doing.
• gamedeal user

  Feb 20, 2023

  Lookin pretty promising! One of the very few mappers with actually useful futuristic/ modern assets.
• TheNotSoGrim

  Mar 19, 2023

  For now I'm changing my review to Positive, because the devs just released a new update that helps with usability quite a ton, and it seems to me based on the communication they have is that they are aware of the issues around the ease of use, and will be trying to make it better. The engine has a ways to go still, but I mean they just added an Eastern flavor asset pack, and that's pretty neat as I'm holding a Sci Fi and an L5R campaign at this time, which ticks all my boxes. I'm hoping that the devs can work a bit better on making documentation around how to use their application, but for now at least it is worth to keep your eye on it to see it become better.
• Ulf

  Mar 31, 2023

  Gave it a shot taking the reviews with a grain of salt but they are pretty much right this is super undercooked and needs lots of time in the overn, The U.I, is very poor and that controls are jenk. Also not really a grand amount of base game assets. So I will wait until this game is in a better state. This is truly one of those map makers that need time i see the pontential but it should be labled early access.
• Sir_Fincor

  Apr 4, 2023

  After a somewhat strange start in which it was difficult for me to get the mechanics, I have to say that it is an incredible tool! There are endless possibilities and scenarios that I can create because the program has an infinite number of tools. Yes, with this map generator I can practically do whatever comes to my mind. Waiting how it continues to evolve since I see that every month, more or less, they publish updates.