Urban Wargaming Mats: Koncrete Blok vs Crime Alley
By Mats by Mars - Print-On-Demand Wargaming and Role | Published: 2026-10-30
Category: Comparisons
Compare Mats by Mars' Koncrete Blok and Crime Alley urban wargaming mats. See which city play mat fits your tabletop wargaming terrain needs.
Quick Answer
Choose Koncrete Blok for a blank, versatile urban canvas; choose Crime Alley for a ready-made street intersection with narrative flavor.
Blank Canvas vs. Story-Ready Streets
The biggest difference between these two urban wargaming mats is how much storytelling they do for you. Koncrete Blok is a fresh poured pad of concrete: no road markings, no buildings, no narrative. It is a blank slate that lets you build the city, factory, or army base you envision. Crime Alley, by contrast, drops you into the dangerous streets of Gothropolis, complete with an intersection that suggests ambushes, chases, and desperate last stands.
This distinction matters for how you play. If you enjoy customizing your tabletop wargaming terrain with modular buildings, barricades, or industrial scatter, Koncrete Blok gives you the freedom to place everything without fighting a printed layout. If you prefer a mat that instantly sets the mood and guides your scenario design, Crime Alley's street pattern provides structure and a sense of place right out of the bag.
Versatility vs. Atmosphere: The Trade-Off
The trade-off is straightforward: Koncrete Blok offers maximum versatility but requires you to supply the details. Crime Alley offers atmosphere but may limit your terrain placement to what makes sense on a street intersection. Neither choice is wrong; it depends on whether you want to build your battlefield from scratch or step into a pre-existing world.
Also consider the scale of your game. Koncrete Blok's neutral surface works for skirmishes and larger battles alike, letting your terrain do the talking. Crime Alley's intersection design is ideal for close-quarters urban fights where line-of-sight and cover are critical.
Koncrete Blok vs Crime Alley: Decision Rules
- Choose Koncrete Blok if...: You want a neutral, modular urban mat that lets your own terrain pieces define the battlefield. Its plain concrete surface works for modern, sci-fi, or industrial settings without conflicting with your scatter. Check your terrain collection: if you have plenty of buildings and barricades, Koncrete Blok will highlight them.
- Choose Crime Alley if...: You want a ready-made street intersection with a strong atmosphere. The Gothropolis setting is ideal for superhero, vigilante, or modern crime scenarios, and the printed roads guide your scenario design. Consider your game's narrative: if you want a pre-built story hook, Crime Alley delivers it.
- Consider size and overlay options...: Both mats come in multiple sizes and overlay options, so you can match the dimensions to your table and add grid or hex overlays if needed. Verify the available sizes before ordering to ensure a proper fit. Measure your play area and check the size options for each mat before making a final choice.
Product Facts
- Mats by Mars: Koncrete Blok (Extra Dark) Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Koncrete Blok is described as a fresh poured pad of concrete, offering options to build a city, factory, or army. This makes it a flexible base for custom terrain, perfect for players who like to design their own urban layouts.
Mats by Mars: Koncrete Blok (Extra Dark) Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat - Mats by Mars: Crime Alley (Intersection) Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Crime Alley features the streets of Gothropolis, a dangerous city where super villains scheme and heroes must stand up. The built-in narrative and intersection design immediately set the scene for dramatic, story-driven games.
Mats by Mars: Crime Alley (Intersection) Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat
Who Should Choose Which?
Best for
- Players who enjoy building custom urban terrain and want a neutral base
- Sci-fi wargamers (like Infinity players) who need a flexible city mat
Not for
- Players who want a pre-designed street layout with narrative flavor
- Those who prefer a mat that instantly sets a specific urban mood without extra terrain
