ABOVE Prestige Guide - Unlock New Game Plus and Rewards

Understanding the Prestige System in ABOVE

The Prestige system in ABOVE is a New Game Plus mechanic that becomes available after completing the main story campaign. This feature allows you to reset your progress while retaining certain upgrades and unlocks, enabling you to experience the game with enhanced capabilities and access new content. Unlike traditional roguelike prestige systems, ABOVE's version focuses on narrative continuity and resort management improvements.

When you choose to Prestige, you will restart from the beginning of the game's timeline, but with permanent bonuses that carry over. This system is designed to encourage multiple playthroughs, letting you discover different character stories and optimize your resort management strategies.

How to Unlock Prestige

To unlock the Prestige feature in ABOVE, you must complete the main story campaign. This involves managing your mountain resort through all four seasons, rescuing a sufficient number of climbers, and progressing through the narrative events that define your first run. Once the credits roll, the Prestige option becomes available in the main menu.

The exact requirements include:

• Completing all main story chapters
• Reaching the end of Year 1 in the game's timeline
• Having at least one fully upgraded shelter building

What Carries Over in Prestige

When you initiate a Prestige run in ABOVE, several key elements transfer from your previous playthrough. Understanding what carries over helps you plan your strategy effectively.

Permanent Retentions:

• Upgraded shelter facilities (lodges, medical bays, supply depots)
• Unlocked mountain routes and trails
• Character relationships and story progress
• Cosmetic unlocks for your resort
• Currency reserves (up to a certain cap)

Reset Elements:

• Seasonal resource stockpiles
• Current climber roster
• Daily mission progress
• Temporary buffs and modifiers

Prestige Rewards and Tiers

ABOVE features multiple Prestige tiers, each offering unique rewards that enhance your gameplay experience. The system tracks your total Prestige level across all playthroughs.

Prestige Tier	Requirement	Reward
Tier 1	Complete game once	+10% resource generation
Tier 2	Complete game twice	Unlock 'Veteran Rescuer' title
Tier 3	Complete game three times	Permanent climber capacity +2
Tier 4	Complete game four times	Exclusive lodge decoration set
Tier 5	Complete game five times	'Master Manager' achievement

Each tier also increases the difficulty slightly by introducing more severe weather events and demanding climbers. The rewards scale accordingly, making each run more rewarding than the last.

Optimal Prestige Strategy

To maximize your efficiency in ABOVE's Prestige system, follow this recommended approach:

1. Complete Your First Run Thoroughly

   Do not rush through the story. Unlock all available upgrades and rescue as many climbers as possible. This builds a strong foundation for future runs.

2. Focus on Infrastructure Upgrades

   Before Prestiging, ensure your shelter has maxed-out medical, supply, and lodging facilities. These carry over and give you a massive head start.

3. Plan Route Expansion

   Open all mountain routes during your first playthrough. Prestige runs benefit from having multiple access points to rescue climbers efficiently.

4. Use Prestige Buffs Strategically

   In your second run, use the +10% resource generation to invest in advanced upgrades that were previously too expensive. This creates a snowball effect.

FAQ About Prestige

Can I Prestige multiple times? Yes, you can Prestige up to five times. Each tier offers unique rewards and slightly increases the challenge.

Will I lose my character progress? No, character relationships and story progress carry over. You continue building relationships with the same characters across playthroughs.

Is Prestige required for 100% completion? Yes, achieving the 'Master Manager' achievement requires completing five Prestige tiers.

Can I skip Prestige and continue my current save? Absolutely. Prestige is optional. You can continue managing your resort indefinitely without resetting.

For more information on the game's mechanics, check our Mechanics Guide and Progression System articles.