
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,381
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Spire's End: Hildegard
- 1–2 players
- 30–180 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2022

2024
Rules assistance for Backstories: Alone Under the Ice
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Backstories: Alone Under the Ice is a board game released in 2024 for 1–6 players, 50–70 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Anthony Perone and Jules Messaud and its main mechanics are Storytelling, Cooperative Game, and Move Through Deck.
Your brother is missing! Your only lead? A letter he sent you from Mont-Blanc, he talks about his research and a Nazi treasure lost for 50 years. Here you are at the top of Europe to investigate. To find him, explore the mysteries that have lain dormant up there for so many years. Discover the first adventure in the BACKSTORIES Saga: Alone under the Ice! How to Play ? Backstories is a game with mechanisms as simple as they are revolutionary: a bit like you would do in a Point & Click video games, interact with your environment as you progress through your thrilling adventures. Some cards (Panorama) represent the environment in which you’re evolving. Other cards (Actions) are perforated, and represent the actions you can perform (Talk, Search, Objects in your possession, etc.). To interact, all you have to do is place a perforated card on the back of the Panorama card you’re interested in, then turn the card over and read the result of your choice. Be careful, though: in every scenario you play through, each of your choices will have real consequences… Be ready to face them! In Alone under the Ice, you play the role of Sophie. Set out to find your brother Jean, who has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The latest news you’ve received comes from a refuge on the summit of Mont-Blanc, via a letter Jean sent you. It seems he was looking for a treasure lost since the 1940s: The amber Chamber! Now it’s up to you! And remember: Your choices, Your Adventure! —description from the publisher
Backstories: Alone Under the Ice supports 1–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Backstories: Alone Under the Ice is 50–70 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Backstories: Alone Under the Ice for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Backstories: Alone Under the Ice has a complexity rating of 1.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Backstories: Alone Under the Ice belongs to these categories: Card Game, Exploration, and Adventure. Its main mechanics are Storytelling, Cooperative Game, and Move Through Deck. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Backstories: Alone Under the Ice are: Anthony Perone and Jules Messaud. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Backstories: Alone Under the Ice as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.