diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 86be9e3..82bd1e9 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ add_executable(waveforge
 	src/items/water.cpp
 	src/items/oil.cpp
 	src/scenes/duckdeath.cpp
+	src/scenes/help.cpp
 	src/scenes/level_menu.cpp
 	src/scenes/level_switch.cpp
 	src/scenes/level.cpp
diff --git a/assets/manifest.json b/assets/manifest.json
index 40caeef..1537fdf 100644
--- a/assets/manifest.json
+++ b/assets/manifest.json
@@ -435,6 +435,24 @@
 			"input": "ui/level-link/raw",
 			"description": "Creating level link texture"
 		},
+		{
+			"id": "ui/help/raw",
+			"type": "image",
+			"file": "ui/help.png",
+			"description": "Loading help background image"
+		},
+		{
+			"id": "ui/help",
+			"type": "create-texture",
+			"input": "ui/help/raw",
+			"description": "Creating help background texture"
+		},
+		{
+			"id": "ui-config/help",
+			"type": "json",
+			"file": "ui/help.json",
+			"description": "Loading help UI configuration"
+		},
 		{
 			"id": "ui-config/level-menu",
 			"type": "json",
diff --git a/assets/prototype/howtoplay.aseprite b/assets/prototype/howtoplay.aseprite
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..050ae22
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/prototype/howtoplay.aseprite differ
diff --git a/assets/prototype/waveforge.aseprite b/assets/prototype/waveforge.aseprite
index 32d5400..7ecd46d 100644
Binary files a/assets/prototype/waveforge.aseprite and b/assets/prototype/waveforge.aseprite differ
diff --git a/assets/ui/help.aseprite b/assets/ui/help.aseprite
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2087765
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/ui/help.aseprite differ
diff --git a/assets/ui/help.json b/assets/ui/help.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5d3c0f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/ui/help.json
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{
+	"width": 256,
+	"height": 192
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/assets/ui/help.png b/assets/ui/help.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd74f5b
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/ui/help.png differ
diff --git a/assets/ui/main-menu.json b/assets/ui/main-menu.json
index ba7dd85..db3bf20 100644
--- a/assets/ui/main-menu.json
+++ b/assets/ui/main-menu.json
@@ -19,53 +19,22 @@
 		"play": {
 			"x": 72,
 			"y": 80,
-			"size": 2,
-			"color": [
-				0,
-				0,
-				0,
-				200
-			],
-			"active-color": [
-				207,
-				158,
-				9,
-				255
-			]
+			"size": 2
 		},
 		"settings": {
 			"x": 72,
 			"y": 104,
-			"size": 2,
-			"color": [
-				0,
-				0,
-				0,
-				200
-			],
-			"active-color": [
-				207,
-				158,
-				9,
-				255
-			]
+			"size": 2
 		},
-		"exit": {
+		"help": {
 			"x": 72,
 			"y": 128,
-			"size": 2,
-			"color": [
-				0,
-				0,
-				0,
-				200
-			],
-			"active-color": [
-				207,
-				158,
-				9,
-				255
-			]
+			"size": 2
+		},
+		"exit": {
+			"x": 72,
+			"y": 152,
+			"size": 2
 		}
 	}
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/assets/ui/settings.json b/assets/ui/settings.json
index eaa56fe..95f54d8 100644
--- a/assets/ui/settings.json
+++ b/assets/ui/settings.json
@@ -28,18 +28,6 @@
 		"y": 64,
 		"width": 192,
 		"spacing": 12,
-		"size": 1,
-		"color": [
-			0,
-			0,
-			0,
-			255
-		],
-		"active-color": [
-			255,
-			200,
-			0,
-			255
-		]
+		"size": 1
 	}
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/include/wforge/audio.h b/include/wforge/audio.h
index f52f915..baf67e6 100644
--- a/include/wforge/audio.h
+++ b/include/wforge/audio.h
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ class BGMManager {
 	void fadeInCurrent(int duration_ticks, float starting_volume);
 	void step();
 	void nextMusic();
+	void setVolume(float volume);
 
 private:
 	float _cur_volume;
diff --git a/include/wforge/colorpalette.h b/include/wforge/colorpalette.h
index a6f6920..246c901 100644
--- a/include/wforge/colorpalette.h
+++ b/include/wforge/colorpalette.h
@@ -17,6 +17,11 @@ constexpr sf::Color ui_text_color(std::uint8_t a) {
 	return sf::Color(0, 0, 0, a);
 }
 
+constexpr sf::Color ui_active_color{250, 200, 46, 255};
+constexpr sf::Color ui_text_bright_color(std::uint8_t a) {
+	return sf::Color(255, 255, 255, a);
+}
+
 // All indexed colors must be here, for dynamic generated textures
 // Colors in static assets (e.g. PNG files) can be outside this palette
 constexpr ColorPaletteEntry _colors[] = {
diff --git a/include/wforge/save.h b/include/wforge/save.h
index 77a3de6..4c8d737 100644
--- a/include/wforge/save.h
+++ b/include/wforge/save.h
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ struct SaveData {
 	void save() const;
 	void resetSettings();
 	void resetAll();
+	bool is_first_launch() const noexcept;
 
 	SaveData(const SaveData &) = delete;
 	SaveData &operator=(const SaveData &) = delete;
diff --git a/include/wforge/scene.h b/include/wforge/scene.h
index 521073c..b77124f 100644
--- a/include/wforge/scene.h
+++ b/include/wforge/scene.h
@@ -82,6 +82,12 @@ class SceneManager {
 	int _scale;
 };
 
+struct ButtonDescriptor {
+	int x;
+	int y;
+	int size;
+};
+
 namespace scene {
 
 struct LevelPlaying {
@@ -96,6 +102,9 @@ struct LevelPlaying {
 		const SceneManager &mgr, sf::RenderTarget &target, int scale
 	) const;
 
+	void pause(SceneManager &mgr) noexcept;
+	void unpause(SceneManager &mgr) noexcept;
+
 private:
 	void _restartLevel(SceneManager &mgr, bool is_failed = true);
 
@@ -105,6 +114,12 @@ struct LevelPlaying {
 	int _hint_type;
 	int _hint_opacity;
 	PixelFont &font;
+	bool _paused;
+
+	// Paused Menu
+	int _paused_menu_current_button_index;
+	bool _show_help;
+	sf::Texture *_help_texture;
 };
 
 struct DuckDeath {
@@ -242,17 +257,10 @@ struct MainMenu {
 	const PixelFont &font;
 	sf::Texture *_background_texture;
 
-	struct ButtonDescriptor {
-		int x;
-		int y;
-		int size;
-		sf::Color color;
-		sf::Color active_color;
-	};
-
 	int _current_button_index;
 	ButtonDescriptor _play_button;
 	ButtonDescriptor _settings_button;
+	ButtonDescriptor _help_button;
 	ButtonDescriptor _exit_button;
 	UITextDescriptor _version_text;
 };
@@ -321,6 +329,23 @@ struct Credits {
 	std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> _content;
 };
 
+struct Help {
+	Help();
+
+	std::array<int, 2> size() const;
+	void setup(SceneManager &mgr);
+	void handleEvent(SceneManager &mgr, sf::Event &evt);
+	void step(SceneManager &mgr);
+	void render(
+		const SceneManager &mgr, sf::RenderTarget &target, int scale
+	) const;
+
+private:
+	sf::Texture *_background_texture;
+	int _width;
+	int _height;
+};
+
 } // namespace scene
 
 } // namespace wf
diff --git a/src/audio.cpp b/src/audio.cpp
index 5b160ae..6d8406e 100644
--- a/src/audio.cpp
+++ b/src/audio.cpp
@@ -120,6 +120,14 @@ void BGMManager::step() {
 	}
 }
 
+void BGMManager::setVolume(float volume) { {
+		_cur_volume = volume;
+		if (_cur_bgm) {
+			_cur_bgm->setVolume(_cur_volume);
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 void BGMManager::nextMusic() {
 	if (!_collection) {
 		return;
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 5de2c09..db9d813 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 #include <iostream>
 #include <proxy/proxy.h>
 
-void entry(const std::string &level_id, int scale_config);
+void entry(const std::string &level_id, int scale_config, bool is_first_launch);
 
 std::filesystem::path wf::_executable_path;
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
@@ -64,7 +64,10 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 	}
 
 	CPPTRACE_TRY {
-		entry(program.get<std::string>("level"), program.get<int>("--scale"));
+		entry(
+			program.get<std::string>("level"), program.get<int>("--scale"),
+			save.is_first_launch()
+		);
 	}
 	CPPTRACE_CATCH(const std::exception &e) {
 		std::cerr << "Unhandled exception: " << e.what() << "\n";
@@ -75,14 +78,25 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 	return 0;
 }
 
-void entry(const std::string &level_id, int scale_config) {
+void entry(
+	const std::string &level_id, int scale_config, bool is_first_launch
+) {
+	auto initialScene = [&](const std::string &level_id, bool is_first_launch) {
+		if (level_id == "-") {
+			if (is_first_launch) {
+				return pro::make_proxy<wf::SceneFacade, wf::scene::Help>();
+			} else {
+				return pro::make_proxy<wf::SceneFacade, wf::scene::MainMenu>();
+			}
+		} else {
+			return pro::make_proxy<wf::SceneFacade, wf::scene::LevelPlaying>(
+				level_id
+			);
+		}
+	};
+
 	wf::SceneManager scene_mgr(
-		level_id == "-"
-			? pro::make_proxy<wf::SceneFacade, wf::scene::MainMenu>()
-			: pro::make_proxy<wf::SceneFacade, wf::scene::LevelPlaying>(
-				  level_id
-			  ),
-		scale_config
+		initialScene(level_id, is_first_launch), scale_config
 	);
 
 	auto &window = scene_mgr.window;
diff --git a/src/save.cpp b/src/save.cpp
index f6e5ecf..ac65837 100644
--- a/src/save.cpp
+++ b/src/save.cpp
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ SaveData &SaveData::instance() noexcept {
 			}
 		}
 
-		// Please don't relay on this saving mechanism
+		// Please don't rely on this saving mechanism
 		// it only works as an extra safeguard against data loss
 		// Please save manually whenever change is made
 		std::atexit([]() {
@@ -142,6 +142,10 @@ void SaveData::resetAll() {
 	save();
 }
 
+bool SaveData::is_first_launch() const noexcept {
+	return completed_levels == 0;
+}
+
 UserSettings UserSettings::defaultSettings() noexcept {
 	return UserSettings{
 		.scale = 0,
diff --git a/src/scenes/help.cpp b/src/scenes/help.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8f9c099
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/scenes/help.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+#include "wforge/assets.h"
+#include "wforge/scene.h"
+#include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
+
+namespace wf::scene {
+
+Help::Help() {
+	const auto &json_data = AssetsManager::instance().getAsset<nlohmann::json>(
+		"ui-config/help"
+	);
+
+	_width = json_data.at("width");
+	_height = json_data.at("height");
+
+	_background_texture = &AssetsManager::instance().getAsset<sf::Texture>(
+		"ui/help"
+	);
+}
+
+std::array<int, 2> Help::size() const {
+	return {_width, _height};
+}
+
+void Help::handleEvent(SceneManager &mgr, sf::Event &evt) {
+	if (auto kb = evt.getIf<sf::Event::KeyPressed>()) {
+		switch (kb->code) {
+		case sf::Keyboard::Key::Escape:
+		case sf::Keyboard::Key::Enter:
+		case sf::Keyboard::Key::Space:
+			UISounds::instance().forward.play();
+			mgr.changeScene(pro::make_proxy<SceneFacade, MainMenu>());
+			return;
+
+		default:
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void Help::setup(SceneManager &mgr) {}
+void Help::step(SceneManager &mgr) {}
+
+void Help::render(
+	const SceneManager &mgr, sf::RenderTarget &target, int scale
+) const {
+	sf::Sprite background_sprite(*_background_texture);
+	background_sprite.setPosition(sf::Vector2f(0, 0));
+	background_sprite.setScale(sf::Vector2f(scale, scale));
+
+	target.draw(background_sprite);
+}
+
+} // namespace wf::scene
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/scenes/level.cpp b/src/scenes/level.cpp
index 49dea2e..d1e97ac 100644
--- a/src/scenes/level.cpp
+++ b/src/scenes/level.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,14 @@ namespace wf::scene {
 
 namespace {
 
+enum PausedMenuButton {
+	RESUME = 0,
+	RETRY,
+	HELP,
+	QUIT,
+	BUTTON_COUNT
+};
+
 auto loadFont() {
 	static PixelFont *font = nullptr;
 	if (!font) {
@@ -56,11 +64,16 @@ LevelPlaying::LevelPlaying(const std::string &level_id)
 
 LevelPlaying::LevelPlaying(Level level)
 	: _tick(0)
+	, _paused(false)
+	, _show_help(false)
+	, _paused_menu_current_button_index(PausedMenuButton::RESUME)
 	, _level(std::move(level))
 	, _renderer(_level)
 	, _hint_type(HintType::None)
 	, _hint_opacity(0)
-	, font(*loadFont()) {}
+	, font(*loadFont()) {
+	_help_texture = &AssetsManager::instance().getAsset<sf::Texture>("ui/help");
+}
 
 std::array<int, 2> LevelPlaying::size() const {
 	return {_level.width(), _level.height()};
@@ -75,7 +88,93 @@ void LevelPlaying::setup(SceneManager &mgr) {
 	);
 }
 
+void LevelPlaying::pause(SceneManager &mgr) noexcept {
+	_paused = true;
+	mgr.bgm.setVolume(0.15f);
+}
+
+void LevelPlaying::unpause(SceneManager &mgr) noexcept {
+	_paused = false;
+	mgr.bgm.setVolume(1.0f);
+}
+
 void LevelPlaying::handleEvent(SceneManager &mgr, sf::Event &ev) {
+	if (_paused) {
+		if (auto kb = ev.getIf<sf::Event::KeyPressed>()) {
+			if (_show_help) {
+				switch (kb->code) {
+				case sf::Keyboard::Key::Escape:
+				case sf::Keyboard::Key::Enter:
+				case sf::Keyboard::Key::Space:
+					UISounds::instance().backward.play();
+					_show_help = false;
+					return;
+				}
+			} else {
+				switch (kb->code) {
+				case sf::Keyboard::Key::Escape:
+					unpause(mgr);
+					break;
+
+				case sf::Keyboard::Key::Enter:
+				case sf::Keyboard::Key::Space:
+					switch (_paused_menu_current_button_index) {
+					case PausedMenuButton::RESUME:
+						unpause(mgr);
+						return;
+
+					case PausedMenuButton::HELP:
+						_show_help = true;
+						return;
+
+					case PausedMenuButton::RETRY:
+						_restartLevel(mgr, false);
+						return;
+
+					case PausedMenuButton::QUIT:
+						mgr.changeScene(
+							pro::make_proxy<SceneFacade, LevelSelectionMenu>()
+						);
+						return;
+
+					default:
+						// Erroneous state?
+						_paused_menu_current_button_index = PausedMenuButton::
+							RESUME;
+						break;
+					}
+					break;
+
+				case sf::Keyboard::Key::Up:
+				case sf::Keyboard::Key::W:
+					UISounds::instance().backward.play();
+					_paused_menu_current_button_index--;
+					if (_paused_menu_current_button_index < 0) {
+						_paused_menu_current_button_index
+							= PausedMenuButton::BUTTON_COUNT - 1;
+					}
+					break;
+
+				case sf::Keyboard::Key::Down:
+				case sf::Keyboard::Key::S:
+					UISounds::instance().forward.play();
+					_paused_menu_current_button_index++;
+					if (_paused_menu_current_button_index
+					    >= PausedMenuButton::BUTTON_COUNT) {
+						_paused_menu_current_button_index = 0;
+					}
+					break;
+
+				default:
+					break;
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Ignore other events when paused
+		return;
+	}
+
 	constexpr int retry_cooldown_ticks = 24 * 2;
 
 	if (auto mw = ev.getIf<sf::Event::MouseWheelScrolled>()) {
@@ -96,8 +195,12 @@ void LevelPlaying::handleEvent(SceneManager &mgr, sf::Event &ev) {
 	if (auto kb = ev.getIf<sf::Event::KeyPressed>()) {
 		constexpr int min_num_key = static_cast<int>(sf::Keyboard::Key::Num1);
 		constexpr int max_num_key = static_cast<int>(sf::Keyboard::Key::Num9);
-		constexpr int min_numpad_key = static_cast<int>(sf::Keyboard::Key::Numpad1);
-		constexpr int max_numpad_key = static_cast<int>(sf::Keyboard::Key::Numpad9);
+		constexpr int min_numpad_key = static_cast<int>(
+			sf::Keyboard::Key::Numpad1
+		);
+		constexpr int max_numpad_key = static_cast<int>(
+			sf::Keyboard::Key::Numpad9
+		);
 
 		const int key_code = static_cast<int>(kb->code);
 		if (key_code >= min_num_key && key_code <= max_num_key) {
@@ -127,15 +230,7 @@ void LevelPlaying::handleEvent(SceneManager &mgr, sf::Event &ev) {
 			break;
 
 		case sf::Keyboard::Key::Escape:
-			if (_hint_opacity > 0 && _hint_type == HintType::QuitLevel) {
-				mgr.changeScene(
-					pro::make_proxy<SceneFacade, LevelSelectionMenu>()
-				);
-				return;
-			} else {
-				_hint_type = HintType::QuitLevel;
-				_hint_opacity = hint_max_opacity;
-			}
+			pause(mgr);
 			break;
 
 		case sf::Keyboard::Key::Up:
@@ -192,11 +287,75 @@ void LevelPlaying::render(
 		sf::Color text_color = ui_text_color(_hint_opacity);
 		font.renderText(target, hint_text, text_color, x, y, scale);
 	}
+
+	// Render Paused Menu
+	if (_paused) {
+		sf::RectangleShape overlay_mask;
+		overlay_mask.setSize(
+			sf::Vector2f(_level.width() * scale, _level.height() * scale)
+		);
+		overlay_mask.setFillColor(sf::Color(0, 0, 0, 200));
+		target.draw(overlay_mask);
+
+		// Render "PAUSED" text
+		const std::string pause_text = "PAUSED";
+		int x = (_level.width() - pause_text.size() * font.charWidth() * 2) / 2;
+		int y = 64;
+		font.renderText(
+			target, pause_text, sf::Color(255, 255, 255, 255), x, y, scale, 2
+		);
+
+		// Render Buttons
+		auto renderButton = [&](std::string_view label,
+		                        const ButtonDescriptor &desc, bool is_active) {
+			sf::Color color = is_active ? ui_active_color
+										: ui_text_bright_color(255);
+			font.renderText(
+				target, std::string(label), color, desc.x, desc.y, scale,
+				desc.size
+			);
+		};
+
+		const auto _button_list = std::array<
+			std::pair<std::string, int>, PausedMenuButton::BUTTON_COUNT>{
+			std::make_pair("Resume", PausedMenuButton::RESUME),
+			std::make_pair("Retry", PausedMenuButton::RETRY),
+			std::make_pair("Help", PausedMenuButton::HELP),
+			std::make_pair("Quit", PausedMenuButton::QUIT)
+		};
+
+		for (std::size_t i = 0; i < _button_list.size(); i++) {
+			const auto button = _button_list[i];
+
+			// Center the buttons horizontally
+			int button_x = (_level.width()
+			                - button.first.size() * font.charWidth())
+				/ 2;
+			int button_y = (_level.height() / 2) + i * (font.charHeight() + 5);
+
+			renderButton(
+				button.first, ButtonDescriptor{button_x, button_y, 1},
+				_paused_menu_current_button_index == button.second
+			);
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Render help Overlay
+	if (_show_help) {
+		sf::Sprite help_sprite(*_help_texture);
+		help_sprite.setPosition(sf::Vector2f(0, 0));
+		help_sprite.setScale(sf::Vector2f(scale, scale));
+
+		target.draw(help_sprite);
+	}
 }
 
 void LevelPlaying::step(SceneManager &mgr) {
-	_tick += 1;
-	_level.step();
+	// Only step the level when not paused
+	if (!_paused) {
+		_tick += 1;
+		_level.step();
+	}
 
 	if (_hint_opacity > 0) {
 		_hint_opacity -= hint_fade_speed;
diff --git a/src/scenes/main_menu.cpp b/src/scenes/main_menu.cpp
index ff97432..ef86cf8 100644
--- a/src/scenes/main_menu.cpp
+++ b/src/scenes/main_menu.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #include "wforge/audio.h"
 #include "wforge/save.h"
 #include "wforge/scene.h"
+#include "wforge/colorpalette.h"
 #include <cstdlib>
 #include <format>
 #include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
@@ -14,6 +15,7 @@ namespace {
 enum MainMenuButton {
 	PLAY = 0,
 	SETTINGS,
+	HELP,
 	EXIT,
 	BUTTON_COUNT
 };
@@ -54,19 +56,12 @@ MainMenu::MainMenu()
 		desc.x = data.at("x");
 		desc.y = data.at("y");
 		desc.size = data.at("size");
-		desc.color = sf::Color(
-			data.at("color").at(0), data.at("color").at(1),
-			data.at("color").at(2), data.at("color").at(3)
-		);
-		desc.active_color = sf::Color(
-			data.at("active-color").at(0), data.at("active-color").at(1),
-			data.at("active-color").at(2), data.at("active-color").at(3)
-		);
 		return desc;
 	};
 
 	_play_button = parseButtonDescriptor(buttons.at("play"));
 	_settings_button = parseButtonDescriptor(buttons.at("settings"));
+	_help_button = parseButtonDescriptor(buttons.at("help"));
 	_exit_button = parseButtonDescriptor(buttons.at("exit"));
 
 	_version_text = UITextDescriptor::fromJson(json_data.at("version-text"));
@@ -114,12 +109,16 @@ void MainMenu::handleEvent(SceneManager &mgr, sf::Event &evt) {
 				mgr.changeScene(pro::make_proxy<SceneFacade, SettingsMenu>());
 				return;
 
+			case MainMenuButton::HELP:
+				mgr.changeScene(pro::make_proxy<SceneFacade, Help>());
+				return;
+
 			case MainMenuButton::EXIT:
 				std::exit(0);
 				return;
 
 			default:
-				// Errorneous state?
+				// Erroneous state?
 				_current_button_index = MainMenuButton::PLAY;
 				break;
 			}
@@ -151,7 +150,7 @@ void MainMenu::render(
 	// Render buttons
 	auto renderButton = [&](std::string_view label,
 	                        const ButtonDescriptor &desc, bool is_active) {
-		sf::Color color = is_active ? desc.active_color : desc.color;
+		sf::Color color = is_active ? ui_active_color : ui_text_color(255);
 		font.renderText(
 			target, std::string(label), color, desc.x, desc.y, scale, desc.size
 		);
@@ -159,7 +158,7 @@ void MainMenu::render(
 
 	auto &save = SaveData::instance();
 	renderButton(
-		save.completed_levels >= 0 ? "Play" : "New Game", _play_button,
+		save.is_first_launch() ? "New Game" : "Play", _play_button,
 		_current_button_index == MainMenuButton::PLAY
 	);
 
@@ -168,6 +167,11 @@ void MainMenu::render(
 		_current_button_index == MainMenuButton::SETTINGS
 	);
 
+	renderButton(
+		"Help", _help_button,
+		_current_button_index == MainMenuButton::HELP
+	);
+
 	renderButton(
 		"Exit", _exit_button, _current_button_index == MainMenuButton::EXIT
 	);
diff --git a/src/scenes/settings.cpp b/src/scenes/settings.cpp
index 639110c..91eb914 100644
--- a/src/scenes/settings.cpp
+++ b/src/scenes/settings.cpp
@@ -233,18 +233,6 @@ SettingsMenu::SettingsMenu()
 	_option_text_size = option_data.at("size");
 	_option_width = option_data.at("width");
 
-	_option_color = sf::Color(
-		option_data.at("color").at(0), option_data.at("color").at(1),
-		option_data.at("color").at(2), option_data.at("color").at(3)
-	);
-
-	_option_active_color = sf::Color(
-		option_data.at("active-color").at(0),
-		option_data.at("active-color").at(1),
-		option_data.at("active-color").at(2),
-		option_data.at("active-color").at(3)
-	);
-
 	_options.push_back(std::make_unique<ScaleOption>());
 	_options.push_back(std::make_unique<VolumnOption>());
 	_options.push_back(std::make_unique<StrictPixelPerfectionOption>());
@@ -386,8 +374,8 @@ void SettingsMenu::render(
 	for (size_t i = 0; i < _options.size(); ++i) {
 		const auto &option = _options[i];
 		sf::Color color = (i == _current_option_index)
-			? _option_active_color
-			: _option_color;
+			? ui_active_color
+			: ui_text_color(255);
 
 		std::string option_text = option->displayText();
 		std::string value_text = option->valueText();