ABOVE Unlock Order Guide: Best Progression Path

Understanding the Unlock System in ABOVE

ABOVE presents a layered progression system where your decisions about which upgrades, buildings, and mountain routes to unlock directly impact your resort's success. Unlike linear games, ABOVE allows you to choose your path, but some choices are far more efficient than others. This guide breaks down the optimal unlock order to ensure you never waste resources or miss critical opportunities during your 1960s alpine adventure.

The game's economy relies on two primary resources: funds from guests and materials gathered from rescued climbers. Every unlock costs one or both, so knowing what to prioritize keeps your resort thriving. For a deeper look at core systems, check our mechanics guide.

First Priority: Core Shelter Upgrades

Your shelter is the heart of your operation. Unlock these upgrades first to stabilize your income and rescue capacity.

Optimal Route Unlock Strategy

Mountain routes are your lifeline for rescuing climbers and discovering new resources. Unlock them in a specific sequence to avoid dead ends.

1. Unlock the Meadow Trail

   This is the first route available. It is short, safe, and introduces you to basic rescue mechanics. Completing it unlocks the ability to see trail difficulty ratings on the map.

2. Progress to Ridge Path

   Once you have rescued three climbers from the Meadow Trail, the Ridge Path becomes available. It requires basic climbing gear but rewards you with rare materials needed for advanced shelter upgrades.

3. Unlock Summit Approach Last

   The Summit Approach is the most difficult early-game route. Do not attempt it until you have upgraded your medical station to level 2 and have at least 6 bunk beds. The rewards include unique story events and a permanent reputation boost.

For more details on route-specific challenges, see our walkthrough guide.

Building and Facility Priority List

Once your shelter is stable, focus on facilities that generate passive income and attract higher-tier climbers.

• Repair Workshop: Reduces equipment degradation costs by 30%
• Common Room: Increases guest social interaction, leading to longer stays
• Storage Shed: Doubles material capacity, crucial for bulk upgrades
• Lookout Tower: Reveals hidden trails and weather patterns on the map

Common Unlock Mistakes to Avoid

Many new players fall into traps that slow their progression. Avoid these errors to keep your resort growing efficiently.

Skipping the Kitchen Upgrade is a frequent mistake. Without it, guest satisfaction drops quickly, and you lose repeat visitors. Always prioritize this before expanding your bunk count beyond 8.

Unlocking too many routes at once spreads your resources thin. Focus on completing one route fully before starting another. Each route has a "mastery" bonus that provides permanent stat boosts to your shelter.

Ignoring material storage leads to wasted rescues. If your storage is full, materials from rescued climbers are lost forever. Upgrade your Storage Shed before attempting multiple rescues in a single day.

Advanced Unlock Strategy for Endgame

Once you have mastered the early game, shift your focus to prestige unlocks that change how your resort operates.

Endgame unlocks include the Helicopter Pad (for emergency rescues) and the Mountain Lodge (a second shelter on higher altitude). Both require significant material investment but dramatically increase your scoring potential. Plan your material stockpiles accordingly.

For comprehensive progression tips, read our progression guide.

FAQ

What is the fastest way to earn materials in ABOVE? Focus on rescuing climbers from the Ridge Path. It offers the best material-to-time ratio in the early game.

Should I unlock all upgrades in one category before moving on? No. A balanced approach works best. Unlock the first tier of shelter upgrades, then one route, then return to shelter upgrades. This prevents resource bottlenecks.

Can I reset my unlocks if I make a mistake? ABOVE does not have a direct reset for individual unlocks. However, you can start a new game on a different save slot to try a different progression path.

Does the unlock order affect the story? Yes. Unlocking the Summit Approach early triggers a unique story event that changes dialogue options later in the game. It is worth experiencing on a second playthrough.

How many routes are available in total? There are seven main routes and three hidden routes unlocked through specific story choices. Each route has multiple difficulty variants.