diff --git a/app/scenes/_list.rb b/app/scenes/_list.rb
index 05b860c..15b67d2 100644
--- a/app/scenes/_list.rb
+++ b/app/scenes/_list.rb
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ module Scene
     DEFAULT:   MainMenu,
     main_menu: MainMenu,
     settings:  SettingsMenu,
-    #paused:    PauseMenu,
-    #cube_tube: CubeTube
+    paused:    PauseMenu,
+    cube_tube: CubeTubeGame
   }
 end
diff --git a/app/scenes/cube_tube.rb b/app/scenes/cube_tube.rb
index cc0ae9b..4e0fa3a 100644
--- a/app/scenes/cube_tube.rb
+++ b/app/scenes/cube_tube.rb
@@ -1,22 +1,12 @@
 # frozen_string_literal: true
 
-# Extension to the scene class for the cube tube scene
-module Scene
-  class << self
-    def tick_cube_tube(args)
-      # call the gameplay scene tick method (handles pause menu, etc)
-      tick_gameplay(args)
-      args.state.game ||= CubeTubeGame.new args
-      args.state.game.tick
-    end
-  end
-end
+# this is the main gameplay!
+class CubeTubeGame < GameplayScene
+  def initialize(args, opts = {})
+    super
 
-#
-class CubeTubeGame
-  def initialize args
     @args = args
-    
+
     @blocksize = 30
     @grid_w = 10
     @grid_h = 20
@@ -59,10 +49,371 @@ class CubeTubeGame
 
     @current_music = :music1
 
-    reset_game
+    reset(args)
   end
 
-  def reset_game
+  def render_background
+    # draw a solid black background
+    @args.outputs.solids << [
+      0,
+      0,
+      1280,
+      1280,
+      0, 0, 0
+    ]
+
+    @bg_x += (@level + 1) * 2 unless @gameover
+    @bg_x %= @bg_w if @bg_x >= @bg_w
+
+    Sprite.for(:tunnel).render(@args, { x: @bg_x, y: 0, w: @bg_w, h: 720 })
+    Sprite.for(:tunnel).render(@args, { x: @bg_x - @bg_w, y: 0, w: @bg_w, h: 720 })
+
+    Sprite.for(:train).render(@args, { x: 0, y: @grid_x - 64 })
+  end
+
+  def render_foreground
+    Sprite.for(:train_fore).render(@args, { x: 0, y: @grid_x - 64 })
+  end
+
+  # x and y are positions in the grid, not pixels
+  def render_block(x, y, color)
+    @sprite_index[color].render(
+      @args,
+      {
+        x: (1280 - @grid_y) - (y * @blocksize) - 6,
+        y: @grid_x + (x * @blocksize),
+        w: @blocksize + 6,
+        h: @blocksize
+      }
+    )
+  end
+
+  def render_grid
+    (0..@grid_w - 1).each do |x|
+      (0..@grid_h - 1).each do |y|
+        if @grid[x][y] != 0 && (!@lines_to_clear.include?(y) || (@line_clear_timer % 14) < 7)
+          render_block(x, y, @grid[x][y])
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  def render_piece(piece, piece_x, piece_y)
+    (0..piece.length - 1).each do |x|
+      (0..piece[x].length - 1).each do |y|
+        render_block(piece_x + x, piece_y + y, piece[x][y]) if piece[x][y] != 0
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  def render_current_piece
+    render_piece(@current_piece, @current_piece_x, @current_piece_y) if @line_clear_timer <= 0
+  end
+
+  def render_next_piece
+    screen_x = @grid_y + 400
+    screen_y = @grid_x + 80
+    screen_w = 250
+    screen_h = 200
+
+    Sprite.for(:screen).render(@args, { x: screen_x, y: screen_y + 10, w: screen_w, h: screen_h + 10 })
+
+    next_piece = @line_clear_timer <= 0 ? @next_piece : @current_piece
+    centerx = (@next_piece_box[2] - next_piece.length) / 2
+    centery = (@next_piece_box[3] - next_piece[0].length) / 2
+
+    render_piece next_piece, @next_piece_box[0] + centerx, @next_piece_box[1] + centery
+
+    @args.outputs.labels << [screen_x + 33, screen_y + screen_h - 8, 'Next piece', 8, 255, 255, 255, 255 ]
+
+    screen_s =
+      case (@args.state.tick_count % 32)
+      when 0..7
+        :screen_s1
+      when 8..15
+        :screen_s2
+      when 16..23
+        :screen_s3
+      when 24..31
+        :screen_s4
+      end
+
+    Sprite.for(screen_s).render(@args, { x: screen_x, y: screen_y + 10, w: screen_w, h: screen_h + 10 })
+  end
+
+  def render_score
+    @args.outputs.labels << [200, 600, "Lines: #{@lines}", 10, 255, 255, 255, 255]
+    @args.outputs.labels << [400, 600, "Level: #{@level}", 10, 255, 255, 255, 255]
+  end
+
+  def render_gameover
+    @args.outputs.solids << [0, 245, 1280, 200, 0, 0, 0, 255]
+    @args.outputs.labels << [200, 450, 'GAME OVER', 100, 255, 255, 255, 255]
+  end
+
+  def render
+    render_background
+    render_next_piece
+    render_current_piece
+    render_grid
+    render_foreground
+    render_score
+    render_gameover if @showgameover
+  end
+
+  def current_piece_colliding
+    (0..@current_piece.length - 1).each do |x|
+      (0..@current_piece[x].length - 1).each do |y|
+        next if @current_piece[x][y].zero?
+        if (@current_piece_y + y >= @grid_h) ||
+           ((@current_piece_y + y) >= 0 && @grid[@current_piece_x + x][@current_piece_y + y] != 0)
+          return true
+        end
+      end
+    end
+    false
+  end
+
+  def get_speed
+    case @level
+    when 0 then 53
+    when 1 then 49
+    when 2 then 45
+    when 3 then 41
+    when 4 then 37
+    when 5 then 33
+    when 6 then 28
+    when 7 then 22
+    when 8 then 17
+    when 9 then 11
+    when 10 then 10
+    when 11 then 9
+    when 12 then 8
+    when 13 then 7
+    when 14..15 then 6
+    when 16..17 then 5
+    when 18..19 then 4
+    else 3
+    end
+  end
+
+  def change_music
+    @current_music = @current_music == :music1 ? :music2 : :music1
+    Music.queue_up(@current_music)
+  end
+
+  def line_full?(row)
+    (0..@grid_w - 1).each do |x|
+      return false if @grid[x][row].zero?
+    end
+    true
+  end
+
+  def plant_current_piece
+    (0..@current_piece.length - 1).each do |x|
+      (0..@current_piece[x].length - 1).each do |y|
+        next if @current_piece[x][y].zero?
+
+        @grid[@current_piece_x + x][@current_piece_y + y] = @current_piece[x][y]
+      end
+    end
+
+    @lines_to_clear = []
+
+    # see if any rows need to be cleared out
+    (0..@grid_h - 1).each do |y|
+      next unless line_full?(y)
+
+      # no empty space in the row
+      @lines_to_clear.push y
+      @lines += 1
+      @line_clear_timer = 70
+      if (@lines % 10).floor.zero?
+        @level += 1
+        change_music
+      end
+    end
+
+    select_next_piece
+    if @lines_to_clear.empty?
+      Sound.play(@args, :drop)
+      if current_piece_colliding
+        @gameover = true
+        Music.stop(@args)
+      end
+    else
+      Sound.play(@args, :clear)
+      @current_speed = get_speed
+    end
+
+    @next_move = @current_speed + 2
+  end
+
+  def select_next_piece
+    @current_piece = @next_piece
+
+    @current_piece_x = 4
+    @current_piece_y = -1
+
+    r = (rand 7) + 1
+    @next_piece =
+      case r
+      when 1 then [[r, 0], [r, r], [0, r]]
+      when 2 then [[0, r], [r, r], [r, 0]]
+      when 3 then [[r, r, r], [r, 0, 0]]
+      when 4 then [[r, r], [r, r] ]
+      when 5 then [[r], [r], [r], [r]]
+      when 6 then [[r, 0], [r, r], [r, 0]]
+      when 7 then [[r, 0, 0], [r, r, r]]
+      end
+    select_next_piece if @current_piece.nil?
+  end
+
+  def rotate_current_piece_left
+    Sound.play(@args, :rotate)
+    @current_piece = @current_piece.transpose.map(&:reverse)
+    @current_piece_x = @grid_w - @current_piece.length if (@current_piece_x + @current_piece.length) >= @grid_w
+  end
+
+  def rotate_current_piece_right
+    Sound.play(@args, :rotate)
+    @current_piece = @current_piece.transpose.map(&:reverse)
+    @current_piece = @current_piece.transpose.map(&:reverse)
+    @current_piece = @current_piece.transpose.map(&:reverse)
+  end
+
+  def fill_grid
+    b = false
+    (0..@grid_h - 1).each do |y|
+      (0..@grid_w - 1).each do |x|
+        if @grid[x][y].zero?
+          @grid[x][y] = (rand 7) + 1
+          b = true
+        end
+      end
+      return nil if b
+    end
+    @showgameover = true
+  end
+
+  def restart_game
+    reset(@args)
+  end
+
+  def move_current_piece_up
+    if (@current_piece_x + @current_piece.length) < @grid_w
+      @current_piece_x += 1
+      if current_piece_colliding
+        Sound.play(@args, :move_deny)
+        @current_piece_x -= 1
+      else
+        Sound.play(@args, :move)
+      end
+    else
+      Sound.play(@args, :move_deny)
+    end
+  end
+
+  def move_current_piece_down
+    if @current_piece_x.positive?
+      @current_piece_x -= 1
+      if current_piece_colliding
+        Sound.play(@args, :move_deny)
+        @current_piece_x += 1
+      else
+        Sound.play(@args, :move)
+      end
+    else
+      Sound.play(@args, :move_deny)
+    end
+  end
+
+  def iterate_line_clear
+    return false unless @line_clear_timer.positive?
+
+    @line_clear_timer -= 1
+    return true unless @line_clear_timer.zero?
+
+    @lines_to_clear.each do |y|
+      y.downto(1).each do |i|
+        (0..@grid_w - 1).each do |j|
+          @grid[j][i] = @grid[j][i - 1]
+        end
+      end
+      (0..@grid_w - 1).each do |i|
+        @grid[i][0] = 0
+      end
+    end
+    Sound.play(@args, :drop)
+    @lines_to_clear = []
+    false
+  end
+
+  def iterate_input
+    restart_game if Input.pressed?(@args, :primary) && @gameover && @showgameover
+    return if @gameover
+
+    move_current_piece_down if Input.pressed?(@args, :down)
+    move_current_piece_up if Input.pressed?(@args, :up)
+    @next_move -= @current_speed / 3 if Input.pressed_or_held?(@args, :left)
+    rotate_current_piece_left if Input.pressed?(@args, :rotate_left)
+    rotate_current_piece_right if Input.pressed?(@args, :rotate_right)
+  end
+
+  # train bounce effect
+  def iterate_train_bounce
+    # TODO: time it better to the music
+    case @args.state.tick_count % (@current_speed * 6)
+    when 0..3, (@current_speed * 2)..((@current_speed * 2) + 3)
+      @grid_x = @start_grid_x + 3
+    else
+      @grid_x = @start_grid_x
+    end
+  end
+
+  def iterate_movement
+    @next_move -= 1
+    return unless @next_move <= 0
+
+    @next_move = @current_speed
+    @current_piece_y += 1
+
+    return unless current_piece_colliding
+
+    @current_piece_y -= 1
+    plant_current_piece
+  end
+
+  def iterate
+    # input first
+    iterate_input
+
+    fill_grid if @gameover && !@showgameover
+    # skip the rest if it's game over
+    return if @gameover
+
+    # resume music if it's paused
+    Music.resume(@args) if !Music.stopped(@args) && Music.paused(@args)
+
+    iterate_train_bounce
+
+    # if we're currently animating a line clear, then skip the movement logic
+    return if iterate_line_clear
+
+    iterate_movement
+  end
+
+  # called every tick of the game loop
+  def tick(args)
+    iterate
+    render
+    super
+  end
+
+  # custom logic to reset this scene
+  def reset(args)
+    super
+
     @lines = 0
     @level = 0
     @current_speed = get_speed
@@ -88,393 +439,7 @@ class CubeTubeGame
     end
 
     @current_music = :music1
-    Music.play(@args, @current_music)
+    Music.play(args, @current_music)
     Music.set_volume(args, args.state.setting.music ? 0.8 : 0.0)
   end
-
-  def render_grid_border x, y, w, h, color
-
-    for i in x..(x+w)-1 do
-      render_block i, y, color
-      render_block i, (y + h - 1), color
-    end
-
-    for i in y..(y+h)-1 do
-      render_block x, i, color
-      render_block (x + w - 1), i, color
-    end
-  end
-
-  def render_background
-    # draw a solid black background
-    @args.outputs.solids << [
-      0,
-      0,
-      1280,
-      1280,
-      0, 0, 0
-    ]
-
-    @bg_x += (@level+1)*2 unless @gameover
-    if(@bg_x >= @bg_w) 
-      @bg_x %= @bg_w
-    end
-
-    Sprite.for(:tunnel).render(@args, { x: @bg_x, y: 0, w: @bg_w, h: 720 })
-    Sprite.for(:tunnel).render(@args, { x: @bg_x - @bg_w, y: 0, w: @bg_w, h: 720 })
-
-    Sprite.for(:train).render(@args, { x: 0, y: @grid_x - 64 })
-  end
-
-  def render_foreground
-    Sprite.for(:train_fore).render(@args, { x: 0, y: @grid_x - 64 })
-  end
-
-  # x and y are positions in the grid, not pixels
-  def render_block x, y, color
-    @sprite_index[color].render(
-      @args,
-      {
-        x: (1280 - @grid_y) - (y * @blocksize) - 6,
-        y: @grid_x + (x * @blocksize),
-        w: @blocksize + 6,
-        h: @blocksize
-      }
-    )
-  end
-
-  def render_grid
-
-    #render_grid_border -1, -1, @grid_w + 2, @grid_h + 2, 8
-
-    for x in 0..@grid_w-1 do
-      for y in 0..@grid_h-1 do
-        render_block x, y, @grid[x][y] if @grid[x][y] != 0 && (!@lines_to_clear.include?(y) || (@line_clear_timer % 14) < 7)
-      end
-    end
-
-  end
-
-  def render_piece piece, piece_x, piece_y
-
-    for x in 0..piece.length-1 do
-      for y in 0..piece[x].length-1 do
-        render_block piece_x + x, piece_y + y, piece[x][y] if piece[x][y] != 0
-      end
-    end
-  end
-
-  def render_current_piece
-    render_piece @current_piece, @current_piece_x, @current_piece_y if @line_clear_timer <= 0
-  end
-
-  def render_next_piece
-
-    screen_x = @grid_y + 400
-    screen_y = @grid_x + 80
-    screen_w = 250
-    screen_h = 200
-
-    Sprite.for(:screen).render(@args, { x: screen_x, y: screen_y + 10, w: screen_w, h: screen_h + 10 })
-    
-    next_piece = @line_clear_timer <= 0 ? @next_piece : @current_piece
-    # render_grid_border *@next_piece_box, 8
-    centerx = (@next_piece_box[2] - next_piece.length) / 2
-    centery = (@next_piece_box[3] - next_piece[0].length) / 2
-
-    render_piece next_piece, @next_piece_box[0] + centerx, @next_piece_box[1] + centery
-
-    @args.outputs.labels << [screen_x + 33, screen_y + screen_h - 8, "Next piece", 8, 255, 255, 255, 255 ]
-
-    screen_s = case (@args.state.tick_count % 32)
-    when 0..7
-      :screen_s1
-    when 8..15
-      :screen_s2
-    when 16..23
-      :screen_s3
-    when 24..31
-      :screen_s4
-    end
-
-    Sprite.for(screen_s).render(@args, { x: screen_x, y: screen_y + 10, w: screen_w, h: screen_h + 10 })
-  end
-
-  def render_score
-    @args.outputs.labels << [ 200, 600, "Lines: #{@lines}", 10, 255, 255, 255, 255 ]
-    @args.outputs.labels << [ 400, 600, "Level: #{@level}", 10, 255, 255, 255, 255 ]
-    @args.outputs.labels << [ 400, 563, "(Speed: #{(1/(@current_speed/60)).round 2} L/s)", 0.1, 255, 255, 255, 255 ]
-  end
-
-  def render_gameover
-    @args.outputs.solids << [ 0, 245, 1280, 200, 0, 0, 0, 255]
-    @args.outputs.labels << [ 200, 450, "GAME OVER", 100, 255, 255, 255, 255 ]
-  end
-
-  def render
-    render_background
-    render_next_piece
-    render_current_piece
-    render_grid
-    render_foreground
-    render_score
-    render_gameover if @showgameover
-  end
-
-  def current_piece_colliding
-    for x in 0..@current_piece.length-1 do
-      for y in 0..@current_piece[x].length-1 do
-        if (@current_piece[x][y] != 0) && ((@current_piece_y + y >= @grid_h) || ((@current_piece_y + y) >= 0 && @grid[@current_piece_x + x][@current_piece_y + y] != 0 ))
-          return true
-        end
-      end
-    end
-    return false
-  end
-
-  def get_speed
-    return case @level
-      when 0 then 53
-      when 1 then 49
-      when 2 then 45
-      when 3 then 41
-      when 4 then 37
-      when 5 then 33
-      when 6 then 28
-      when 7 then 22
-      when 8 then 17
-      when 9 then 11
-      when 10 then 10
-      when 11 then 9
-      when 12 then 8
-      when 13 then 7
-      when 14 then 6
-      when 15 then 6
-      when 16 then 5
-      when 17 then 5
-      when 18 then 4
-      when 19 then 4
-      when 20 then 3
-      else 3
-    end
-  end
-
-  def change_music
-    if @current_music == :music1
-      @current_music = :music2
-    else
-      @current_music = :music1
-    end
-    queue = Music.queue
-    Music.queue_up(@current_music)
-  end
-
-  def plant_current_piece
-    rows_to_check = []
-
-    for x in 0..@current_piece.length-1 do
-      for y in 0..@current_piece[x].length-1 do
-        if @current_piece[x][y] != 0
-          col = @current_piece_x + x
-          row = @current_piece_y + y
-          @grid[col][row] = @current_piece[x][y]
-          rows_to_check << row if !rows_to_check.include? row
-        end
-      end
-    end
-
-    @lines_to_clear = []
-
-    # see if any rows need to be cleared out
-    for y in 0..@grid_h-1
-      full = true
-      for x in 0..@grid_w-1
-        if @grid[x][y] == 0
-          full = false
-          break
-        end
-      end
-
-      if full # no empty space in the row
-        @lines_to_clear.push y
-        @lines += 1
-        @line_clear_timer = 70
-        if (@lines%10).floor == 0
-          @level += 1
-          change_music
-        end
-      end
-    end
-
-    select_next_piece
-    if @lines_to_clear.empty?
-      Sound.play(@args, :drop)
-      if current_piece_colliding
-        @gameover = true
-        Music.stop(@args)
-      end
-    else
-      Sound.play(@args, :clear)
-      @current_speed = get_speed
-    end
-
-    @next_move = @current_speed + 2
-  end
-
-  def select_next_piece
-
-    @current_piece = @next_piece
-
-    @current_piece_x = 4
-    @current_piece_y = -1
-
-    r = (rand 7) + 1
-    @next_piece = case r 
-      when 1 then [ [r, 0], [r, r], [0, r]]
-      when 2 then [ [0, r], [r, r], [r, 0]]
-      when 3 then [ [r, r, r], [r, 0, 0]]
-      when 4 then [ [r, r], [r, r] ]
-      when 5 then [ [r], [r], [r], [r]]
-      when 6 then [ [r, 0], [r, r], [r, 0]]
-      when 7 then [ [r, 0, 0], [r, r, r]]
-    end
-    select_next_piece if @current_piece == nil
-  end
-
-  def rotate_current_piece_left
-    Sound.play(@args, :rotate)
-    @current_piece = @current_piece.transpose.map(&:reverse)
-    if(@current_piece_x + @current_piece.length) >= @grid_w
-      @current_piece_x = @grid_w - @current_piece.length
-    end
-  end
-
-  def rotate_current_piece_right
-    Sound.play(@args, :rotate)
-    @current_piece = @current_piece.transpose.map(&:reverse)
-    @current_piece = @current_piece.transpose.map(&:reverse)
-    @current_piece = @current_piece.transpose.map(&:reverse)
-  end
-
-  def fill_grid
-    b = false
-    for y in 0..@grid_h-1 do
-      for x in 0..@grid_w-1 do
-        if @grid[x][y] == 0
-          @grid[x][y] = (rand 7) + 1
-          b = true
-        end
-      end
-      return if b
-    end
-    @showgameover = true
-  end
-
-  def restart_game
-    reset_game
-  end
-
-  def iterate
-
-    # check input first
-    k = @args.inputs.keyboard
-    c = @args.inputs.controller_one
-
-    if @gameover
-      if @showgameover
-        if k.key_down.space || k.key_down.enter || c.key_down.start
-          restart_game
-        end
-      else
-        fill_grid
-      end
-      return
-    end
-
-    unless Music.stopped(@args)
-      Music.resume(@args) if Music.paused(@args)
-    end
-
-    if @line_clear_timer.positive?
-      @line_clear_timer -= 1
-      if @line_clear_timer.zero?
-        for y in @lines_to_clear
-          for i in y.downto(1) do
-            for j in 0..@grid_w-1
-              @grid[j][i] = @grid[j][i-1]
-            end
-          end
-          for i in 0..@grid_w-1
-            @grid[i][0] = 0
-          end
-        end
-        Sound.play(@args, :drop)
-        @lines_to_clear = []
-      end
-      return
-    end
-    
-    if k.key_down.down || k.key_down.s || c.key_down.down
-      if @current_piece_x > 0
-        @current_piece_x -= 1
-        if current_piece_colliding
-          Sound.play(@args, :move_deny)
-          @current_piece_x += 1
-        else
-          Sound.play(@args, :move)
-        end
-      else
-        Sound.play(@args, :move_deny)
-      end
-    end
-    if k.key_down.up || k.key_down.w || c.key_down.up
-      if (@current_piece_x + @current_piece.length) < @grid_w
-        @current_piece_x += 1
-        if current_piece_colliding
-          Sound.play(@args, :move_deny)
-          @current_piece_x -= 1
-        else
-          Sound.play(@args, :move)
-        end
-      else
-        Sound.play(@args, :move_deny)
-      end
-    end
-    if k.key_down.left || k.key_held.left || k.key_down.a || k.key_held.a || c.key_down.left || c.key_held.left
-      @next_move -= @current_speed / 3
-    end
-    if k.key_down.plus || k.key_down.equal_sign
-      @level += 1
-      @current_speed = get_speed
-    end
-
-    if k.key_down.q || c.key_down.a
-      rotate_current_piece_left
-    end
-    if k.key_down.e || c.key_down.b
-      rotate_current_piece_right
-    end
-
-    case @args.state.tick_count % (@current_speed * 6)
-    when 0..3, (@current_speed * 2)..((@current_speed * 2) + 3)
-      @grid_x = @start_grid_x + 3
-    else
-      @grid_x = @start_grid_x
-    end
-
-    @next_move -= 1
-    if @next_move <= 0
-      @next_move = @current_speed
-      @current_piece_y += 1
-      if current_piece_colliding
-        @current_piece_y -= 1
-        plant_current_piece
-      end
-    end
-  end
-
-  def tick
-    iterate
-    render
-  end
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end
diff --git a/app/scenes/gameplay.rb b/app/scenes/gameplay.rb
index 49b408b..e7c1aed 100644
--- a/app/scenes/gameplay.rb
+++ b/app/scenes/gameplay.rb
@@ -1,54 +1,51 @@
-module Scene
-  class << self
-    # This is your main entrypoint into the actual fun part of your game!
-    def tick_gameplay(args)
-      labels = []
-      sprites = []
+# frozen_string_literal: true
 
-      # focus tracking
-      if !args.state.has_focus && args.inputs.keyboard.has_focus
-        args.state.has_focus = true
-      elsif args.state.has_focus && !args.inputs.keyboard.has_focus
-        args.state.has_focus = false
-      end
+# This is a base class for the main gameplay, handling things like pausing
+class GameplayScene < SceneInstance
+  def initialize(_args, opts = {})
+    super
+  end
 
-      # auto-pause & input-based pause
-      if !args.state.has_focus || Input.pressed?(args, :pause)
-        return pause(args)
-      end
+  # called every tick of the game loop
+  def tick(args) 
+    super
 
-      tick_pause_button(args, sprites) if mobile?
-
-      draw_bg(args, BLACK)
-
-      # labels << label("GAMEPLAY", x: 40, y: args.grid.top - 40, size: SIZE_LG, font: FONT_BOLD)
-      args.outputs.labels << labels
-      args.outputs.sprites << sprites
+    # focus tracking
+    if !args.state.has_focus && args.inputs.keyboard.has_focus
+      args.state.has_focus = true
+    elsif args.state.has_focus && !args.inputs.keyboard.has_focus
+      args.state.has_focus = false
     end
 
-    def pause(args)
-      Sound.play(args, :select)
-      return Scene.push(args, :paused, reset: true)
-    end
+    # auto-pause & input-based pause
+    return pause(args) if !args.state.has_focus || Input.pressed?(args, :pause)
 
-    def tick_pause_button(args, sprites)
-      pause_button = {
-        x: 72.from_right,
-        y: 72.from_top,
-        w: 52,
-        h: 52,
-        path: Sprite.for(:pause),
-      }
-      pause_rect = pause_button.dup
-      pause_padding = 12
-      pause_rect.x -= pause_padding
-      pause_rect.y -= pause_padding
-      pause_rect.w += pause_padding * 2
-      pause_rect.h += pause_padding * 2
-      if args.inputs.mouse.down && args.inputs.mouse.inside_rect?(pause_rect)
-        return pause(args)
-      end
-      sprites << pause_button
-    end
+    tick_pause_button(args) if mobile?
+
+    draw_bg(args, BLACK)
+  end
+
+  def pause(args)
+    Sound.play(args, :select)
+    Scene.push(args, :paused, reset: true)
+  end
+
+  def tick_pause_button(args)
+    pause_button = {
+      x:    72.from_right,
+      y:    72.from_top,
+      w:    52,
+      h:    52,
+      path: Sprite.for(:pause)
+    }
+    pause_rect = pause_button.dup
+    pause_padding = 12
+    pause_rect.x -= pause_padding
+    pause_rect.y -= pause_padding
+    pause_rect.w += pause_padding * 2
+    pause_rect.h += pause_padding * 2
+    return pause(args) if args.inputs.mouse.down && args.inputs.mouse.inside_rect?(pause_rect)
+
+    args.outputs.sprites << pause_button
   end
 end
diff --git a/app/scenes/menu.rb b/app/scenes/menu.rb
index 64921d0..e0a6fc3 100644
--- a/app/scenes/menu.rb
+++ b/app/scenes/menu.rb
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class MenuScene < SceneInstance
       button_border = { w: 340, h: 80, x: l.x - 170, y: l.y - 55 }.merge(WHITE)
       (args.outputs.borders << button_border) if mobile?
       if args.inputs.mouse.up && args.inputs.mouse.inside_rect?(button_border)
-        o = options.find { |o| o[:key] == l[:key] }
+        o = @menu_options.find { |o| o[:key] == l[:key] }
         Sound.play(args, :menu)
         o[:on_select].call(args) if o
       end
@@ -105,6 +105,11 @@ class MenuScene < SceneInstance
       @menu_options[@menu_state.current_option_i][:on_select].call(args)
       Sound.play(args, :select)
     end
+
+    if Input.pressed?(args, :secondary) && !Scene.stack(args).empty?
+      Sound.play(args, :select)
+      Scene.pop(args)
+    end
   end
 
   # custom logic to reset this scene
diff --git a/app/scenes/paused.rb b/app/scenes/paused.rb
index 3eedb62..33967ff 100644
--- a/app/scenes/paused.rb
+++ b/app/scenes/paused.rb
@@ -1,42 +1,46 @@
-module Scene
-  class << self
-    # scene reached from gameplay when the player needs a break
-    def tick_paused(args)
-      draw_bg(args, DARK_YELLOW)
+# frozen_string_literal: true
 
-      options = [
-        {
-          key: :resume,
-          on_select: -> (args) { Scene.pop(args) }
-        },
-        {
-          key: :settings,
-          on_select: -> (args) { Scene.push(args, :settings, reset: true) }
-        },
-        {
-          key: :return_to_main_menu,
-          on_select: -> (args) { Scene.switch(args, :main_menu) }
-        },
-      ]
+# This is the pause menu, triggered by a button press when the player wants a
+# break from gameplay.
+class PauseMenu < MenuScene
+  def initialize(args, opts = {})
+    menu_options = [
+      {
+        key:       :resume,
+        on_select: ->(args) { Scene.pop(args) }
+      },
+      {
+        key:       :settings,
+        on_select: ->(args) { Scene.push(args, :settings, reset: true) }
+      },
+      {
+        key:       :return_to_main_menu,
+        on_select: ->(args) { Scene.switch(args, :main_menu) }
+      }
+    ]
 
-      if args.gtk.platform?(:desktop)
-        options << {
-          key: :quit,
-          on_select: -> (args) { args.gtk.request_quit }
-        }
-      end
-
-      Menu.tick(args, :paused, options)
-
-      Music.pause(args) unless Music.stopped(args)
-
-      if Input.pressed?(args, :secondary)
-        Sound.play(args, :select)
-        options.find { |o| o[:key] == :resume }[:on_select].call(args)
-        
-      end
-
-      args.outputs.labels << label(:paused, x: args.grid.w / 2, y: args.grid.top - 200, align: ALIGN_CENTER, size: SIZE_LG, font: FONT_BOLD)
+    if args.gtk.platform?(:desktop)
+      menu_options << {
+        key:       :quit,
+        on_select: ->(args) { args.gtk.request_quit }
+      }
     end
+
+    super args, opts, menu_options
+  end
+
+  # called every tick of the game loop
+  def tick(args)
+    super
+    Music.pause(args) unless Music.stopped(args) || Music.paused(args)
+
+    args.outputs.labels << label(
+      :paused,
+      x:     args.grid.w / 2,
+      y:     args.grid.top - 200,
+      align: ALIGN_CENTER,
+      size:  SIZE_LG,
+      font:  FONT_BOLD
+    )
   end
 end
diff --git a/app/scenes/settings.rb b/app/scenes/settings.rb
index 8a522d0..4ea08f6 100644
--- a/app/scenes/settings.rb
+++ b/app/scenes/settings.rb
@@ -55,11 +55,6 @@ class SettingsMenu < MenuScene
     # actual menu logic is handled by the MenuScene super class
     super
 
-    if Input.pressed?(args, :secondary)
-      Sound.play(args, :select)
-      @menu_options.find { |o| o[:key] == :back }[:on_select].call(args)
-    end
-
     args.outputs.labels << label(
       :settings,
       x:     args.grid.w / 2,
diff --git a/app/util/scene.rb b/app/util/scene.rb
index c9967ae..f56656c 100644
--- a/app/util/scene.rb
+++ b/app/util/scene.rb
@@ -19,10 +19,16 @@ module Scene
       args.state.scene_stack ||= []
       # if we're here /not/ from push or pop, clear the scene stack
       args.state.scene_stack.clear unless push_or_pop
-      
+
       # if `scene` is not a `SceneInstance`, it's probably a symbol representing
       # the scene we're switching to, so go get it.
       the_scene = scene.is_a?(SceneInstance) ? scene : SCENES[scene].new(args)
+      puts '---'
+      puts 'switching to'
+      puts scene unless scene.is_a?(SceneInstance)
+      puts SCENES[scene] unless scene.is_a?(SceneInstance)
+      puts the_scene
+      puts '---'
 
       # if the stack is empty (e.g. we just cleared it), then push this scene
       args.state.scene_stack.push(the_scene) if args.state.scene_stack.empty?
@@ -53,5 +59,9 @@ module Scene
       args.state.scene_stack ||= []
       SCENES[:DEFAULT].new(args)
     end
+
+    def stack(args)
+      args.state.scene_stack ||= []
+    end
   end
 end