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Review of Deep-Cut Studio Badlands Game Mat (6' x 4', mousepad)
Blurb from the publisher: 'This is a terrain mat is ideal as stand-alone scenery or background for additional terrain elements for games taking place in badlands. This design comes in three different materials, each of them featuring:
PVC mat:
- Made from high durability PVC;
- Non textured gaming surface with high quality printed picture;
- Resistant to scratch and tear as well as dirt stains;
- Compatible with water based pens;
- Shipping tubes can be used as easy storage;
- The choice for a sturdy and cost friendly battlefield.
Cloth mat:
- Made from lightweight synthetic cloth;
- The paint are soaked into the material and will never scratch or fade off;
- Can be machine washed or ironed with steam;
- The choice for an ultra-portable battlefield.
Mousepad mat:
- Made from synthetic cloth with a 2 mm thick rubber foam backing;
- The paint are soaked into the material and will never scratch or fade off;
- Non slippery backing to keep the mat on the table;
- Instant mat flatness and smooth gaming surface;
- Soft rubber foam allows to pick the cards easy and roll the dice without a sound;
- The choice for a premium gaming table.'
What you get: Your EUR 64,90 will buy you the Badlands Game Mat from Deep-Cut Studio in its 6' x 4' (183 x 122 cm) mousepad iteration. The mat comes out in three different materials (PVC, cloth and mousepad), and three different sizes: 3' x 3' (91 x 91 cm), 4' x 4' (122 x 122 cm) and the present 6' x 4'. The absolute less one can pay is EUR 25,90 for the PVC 3' x 3', while the most expensive article is the one that we are examining together.
The mat depicts badlands in all their orange and brown glory. This is a landscape where nothing grows upon the rocky terrain. There are rocks and stones here and there, while the discolourations on the ground amply show that this is fallow land. Was it always like this, or has it become so due to an apocalyptic disaster, man-made or other? No one knows.
The mousepad quality mat has a thickness of around 2 mm, while it is sold within a soft, transparent plastic case with two buttons on top.
The strong points: Deep-Cut Studio knows how to make classic mats with a single dominant colour. This might not be the terrain where ancient armies meet, it can be however anything from the scene of sci-fi warfare, a hunt for outlaws in the wild west, a forgotten moon in a galaxy far far away, or even the Earth of the past... or is it the future? The details are crisp, with rocks and the different colours of the strata making an immediate impression. The presentation of depth is satisfactory; the mat might be primarily targeting ground battles, yet it can easily accommodate aerial warfare as well. Every single sci-fi game (from Warlord Games' Beyond the Gates of Antares to the now extinct Warzone Resurrection, or the relatively new Fallout: Wasteland Warfare from Modiphius Entertainment) can be played on these grounds and kick as much ass as it is expected to. The mat does not only emulate other planets though; it is Earth first and foremost. Trample the horders of Axis zombies in Dust, and hear the lamentations of your enemies' women in Conan, if you decide to tackle the RPG in a more wargamey way. Bring justice to the west, or make a formidable name for yourself through Dead Man's Hand, spitting lead and raking up the body count. If all that is not enough, what about the dog fights of Blood Red Skies on a background that is as exotic as it is intriguing?
I love the mat's colour. There is quite the difference between how the real item looks like and how the image on my PC looks like. The real item is a lot more vibrant and striking, while the image on the publisher's shop looks and feels a bit subdued. That's great news; badlands are supposed to be mysterious, eerie, with colours that imprint themselves in human eyes. A lot of work has been put on the shadows. Only when one peruses the mat undistracted by actual gaming can he appreciate the very impressive details that make it what it is.
When is comes to ease of use, the Badlands Game Mat is as good as they get. Things stay where you put them; the mat stays firm on the gaming surface. Even though the mat is rolled for storage, it doesn't lose its flatness. It is flexible, and makes me believe that it will neither become flakey nor it will start breaking up after repeated use.
Having the map available in three different sizes is a plus for those with smaller tables. As expected, the image depicted in each size is not identical. It does not bother me in the least.
The weak points: I find nothing wrong to write about this mat. Taking its dominant colour into account, one might need to pay attention to similarly coloured tokens or counters, lest they be forgotten and throw a game off. This is however self-evident, and applies to all mats whose design is centered around a single colour.
Like all mats, this one needs some love and care. You wouldn't want to start eating on it, let it become a nesting area for your pets, or expose it to high temperatures or directly to the elements. Treat it nicely, and it might as well last forever.
Like the other mats from Deep-Cut Studio, this map doesn't have rounded corners. As much as I prefer rounded corners myself, this isn't something that would make or break a purchase.
Conclusion: The Deep-Cut Studio Badlands Game Mat is my go-to mat when it comes to terrain of this type. Its colours make it both vibrant and versatile, allowing it to cover a swathe of battlefields, ground or other. Invest fearlessly.
To find out more about Deep-Cut Studio take a look at http://www.deepcutstudio.com.
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