ABOVE Restart Guide: How to Start Over & New Game Plus

Understanding Restart Options in ABOVE

ABOVE offers two distinct ways to start over: a complete fresh start and a New Game Plus mode. Understanding the difference is crucial for making the right choice based on your current progress and goals.

A fresh start wipes all progress, letting you experience the 1960s alpine resort management from scratch. New Game Plus, on the other hand, allows you to carry over specific resources and upgrades while resetting the story and route progression. This guide explains both options in detail.

How to Perform a Fresh Start

If you want to begin entirely anew, follow these steps to reset your save file.

1. Locate your save file

   Navigate to the ABOVE save directory on your PC. The default path is usually %AppData%/AboveTheDesk/ABOVE/saves/. You can also access this by opening the game's properties in Steam and selecting "Browse local files."

2. Back up your current save

   Before deleting anything, copy the entire saves folder to your desktop. This ensures you can restore your original progress later if you change your mind.

3. Delete or rename the save folder

   Delete all files inside the saves folder, or rename the folder to saves_backup. The game will generate a new save file when you launch it next time.

4. Launch the game

   Start ABOVE. You will see the opening cutscene and tutorial, confirming that your progress has been completely reset.

New Game Plus: What Carries Over

New Game Plus (NG+) becomes available after you complete the main story campaign. This mode is ideal for players who want to experience the narrative again but with a head start.

To start NG+, simply select "New Game Plus" from the main menu after completing the credits. The game will prompt you to confirm, so don't worry about accidental resets.

When to Restart Your Game

Restarting can be beneficial in specific situations. Consider a fresh start if you made early mistakes that heavily impacted your resort's economy, such as inefficient route planning or poor resource allocation. For example, spending all your funds on the wrong building early on can be a good reason to restart.

New Game Plus is recommended when you want to achieve a perfect playthrough, unlock all achievements, or experience the story with full knowledge of the game's mechanics. It also allows you to make different narrative choices without losing your hard-earned upgrades.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many players accidentally trigger a restart or lose progress. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

• Always manually save before experimenting with major decisions
• Do not delete save files while the game is running
• Verify you are selecting 'New Game Plus' and not 'New Game' if you want to carry over progress
• Keep at least two backup save files in case one becomes corrupted
• Read all confirmation prompts carefully before clicking 'Yes'

If you accidentally delete your save, immediately close the game and check your recycle bin. If you backed up your files as recommended earlier, simply restore the saves folder from your desktop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have multiple save files in ABOVE? Yes, ABOVE supports multiple save slots. You can create separate profiles for different playstyles, such as one for a fresh start and another for New Game Plus.

Will restarting delete my achievements? No. Achievements are tied to your Steam account, not your local save file. You will keep all achievements even after a fresh start.

Is there a way to restart without losing my character relationships? Only New Game Plus preserves relationship levels. A fresh start will reset all relationships to zero.

Does the game warn me before I overwrite a save? Yes, ABOVE displays a confirmation prompt before overwriting any save file. Always double-check which slot you are selecting.