diff --git a/assets/locale/en_US.po b/assets/locale/en_US.po
index e48db954..0c0599c7 100644
--- a/assets/locale/en_US.po
+++ b/assets/locale/en_US.po
@@ -82,6 +82,9 @@ msgstr "Delete a Save"
 msgid "ui.select_save.delete_confirm"
 msgstr "Are you sure you want to delete this save?"
 
+msgid "ui.select_save.name_title"
+msgstr "Enter game save file name"
+
 msgid "ui.save_slot.number_format"
 msgstr "Slot %d"
 
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscene.h b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscene.h
index 7c379dee..17643179 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscene.h
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscene.h
@@ -161,6 +161,16 @@ typedef struct cutscene_s {
 #define CUTSCENE_MODAL_CLOSE() \
   { .type = CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_MODAL_CLOSE }
 
+// Opens the on-screen keyboard and blocks the cutscene until it closes,
+// then caches whatever was typed - see cutsceneSystemGetTextCache to
+// read it back afterwards. __VA_ARGS__ are uikeyboardopen_t designated
+// initializers, e.g. CUTSCENE_KEYBOARD(.cancel = true, .maxLength = 8).
+#define CUTSCENE_KEYBOARD(...) \
+  { \
+    .type = CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_KEYBOARD, \
+    .keyboard = { .open = { __VA_ARGS__ } } \
+  }
+
 // (Re)requests an available save device and jumps straight to
 // SUCCESS_MARKER or FAILURE_MARKER once it resolves, same as a
 // CUTSCENE_MODAL_OPTIONS callback - it does not fall through to
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscenesystem.c b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscenesystem.c
index 7ccd101b..1abe3b57 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscenesystem.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscenesystem.c
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ void cutsceneSystemPrepare(
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.entityLastRef = NULL;
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.areaLastCreated = CUTSCENE_AREA_LAST_CREATED;
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textMiniLastCreated = CUTSCENE_TEXT_MINI_LAST_CREATED;
+  CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textCache[0] = '\0';
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.currentItem = 0xFF;// Set to 0xFF so Next wraps to 0.
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.onComplete = NULL;
 }
@@ -109,6 +110,7 @@ void cutsceneSystemNext() {
     CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.entityLastRef = NULL;
     CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.areaLastCreated = CUTSCENE_AREA_LAST_CREATED;
     CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textMiniLastCreated = CUTSCENE_TEXT_MINI_LAST_CREATED;
+    CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textCache[0] = '\0';
     CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.onComplete = NULL;
 
     if(onComplete != NULL) onComplete(userData);
@@ -218,6 +220,16 @@ uint8_t cutsceneSystemGetTextMiniId(const uint8_t index) {
   return index;
 }
 
+const char_t * cutsceneSystemGetTextCache(void) {
+  return CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textCache;
+}
+
+void cutsceneSystemSetTextCache(const char_t *text) {
+  stringCopy(
+    CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textCache, text, CUTSCENE_TEXT_CACHE_MAX - 1
+  );
+}
+
 void cutsceneSystemDispose() {
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.scene = NULL;
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.currentItem = 0xFF;
@@ -228,5 +240,6 @@ void cutsceneSystemDispose() {
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.entityLastRef = NULL;
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.areaLastCreated = CUTSCENE_AREA_LAST_CREATED;
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textMiniLastCreated = CUTSCENE_TEXT_MINI_LAST_CREATED;
+  CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textCache[0] = '\0';
   CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.onComplete = NULL;
 }
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscenesystem.h b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscenesystem.h
index 8c9ed702..823285d0 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscenesystem.h
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/cutscenesystem.h
@@ -21,6 +21,11 @@ typedef struct entity_s entity_t;
 // cutscene_t.dataSize.
 #define CUTSCENE_SYSTEM_SIZE_MAX 8192
 
+// Size of CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textCache - keep >= UI_KEYBOARD_TEXT_MAX (see
+// ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.h) so text entered via a
+// CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_KEYBOARD item is never truncated caching it here.
+#define CUTSCENE_TEXT_CACHE_MAX 64
+
 typedef struct {
   const cutscene_t *scene;
   uint8_t currentItem;
@@ -32,6 +37,12 @@ typedef struct {
   uint8_t areaLastCreated;
   uint8_t textMiniLastCreated;
 
+  // Free-form text cache, e.g. holding whatever was last typed via a
+  // CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_KEYBOARD item - see cutsceneSystemGetTextCache/
+  // cutsceneSystemSetTextCache. Not tied to any one item type; any item
+  // may read or write it.
+  char_t textCache[CUTSCENE_TEXT_CACHE_MAX];
+
   // Data (used by the current item).
   cutsceneitemdata_t data;
 
@@ -141,6 +152,27 @@ uint8_t cutsceneSystemGetAreaId(const uint8_t areaId);
  */
 uint8_t cutsceneSystemGetTextMiniId(const uint8_t index);
 
+/**
+ * Returns CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textCache - whatever was last written there via
+ * cutsceneSystemSetTextCache (e.g. by a CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_KEYBOARD item
+ * once its keyboard closes). Empty ("") if nothing has been cached yet
+ * for the running cutscene.
+ *
+ * @returns The cached text.
+ */
+const char_t * cutsceneSystemGetTextCache(void);
+
+/**
+ * Overwrites CUTSCENE_SYSTEM.textCache with a copy of text. Any item may
+ * call this - it isn't tied to any one item type - so later items can
+ * read back whatever the caller wants to pass along, up to
+ * CUTSCENE_TEXT_CACHE_MAX - 1 characters.
+ *
+ * @param text The text to cache; copied internally, safe to be
+ * transient. Must not exceed CUTSCENE_TEXT_CACHE_MAX - 1 characters.
+ */
+void cutsceneSystemSetTextCache(const char_t *text);
+
 /**
  * Advance to the next item in the cutscene.
  */
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/cutsceneitem.c b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/cutsceneitem.c
index 7e38413b..5061c144 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/cutsceneitem.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/cutsceneitem.c
@@ -172,6 +172,11 @@ cutsceneitemcallbacks_t CUTSCENE_ITEM_CALLBACKS[CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_COUNT] = {
   [CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_SAVE_LOAD_ALL_SLOTS] = {
     .init = cutsceneSaveLoadAllSlotsStart,
     .update = cutsceneSaveLoadAllSlotsUpdate
+  },
+
+  [CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_KEYBOARD] = {
+    .init = cutsceneKeyboardStart,
+    .update = cutsceneKeyboardUpdate
   }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/cutsceneitem.h b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/cutsceneitem.h
index 53b4baf7..7817983b 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/cutsceneitem.h
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/cutsceneitem.h
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 #include "ui/cutsceneshake.h"
 #include "ui/cutscenemodal.h"
 #include "ui/cutscenemodaloptionsmarkers.h"
+#include "ui/cutscenekeyboard.h"
 #include "item/cutsceneitemgive.h"
 #include "maparea/cutscenemapareaadd.h"
 #include "maparea/cutscenemaparearemove.h"
@@ -76,6 +77,7 @@ typedef enum {
   CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_SCENE,
   CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_SAVE_DEVICE_CHECK,
   CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_SAVE_LOAD_ALL_SLOTS,
+  CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_KEYBOARD,
 
   CUTSCENE_ITEM_TYPE_COUNT
 } cutsceneitemtype_t;
@@ -115,6 +117,7 @@ struct cutsceneitem_s {
     cutscenescene_t sceneChange;
     cutscenesavedevicecheck_t saveDeviceCheck;
     cutscenesaveloadallslots_t saveLoadAllSlots;
+    cutscenekeyboard_t keyboard;
   };
 };
 
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/ui/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/ui/CMakeLists.txt
index b359087a..fe4708bd 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/ui/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/ui/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,4 +13,5 @@ target_sources(${DUSK_LIBRARY_TARGET_NAME}
     cutsceneshake.c
     cutscenemodal.c
     cutscenemodaloptionsmarkers.c
+    cutscenekeyboard.c
 )
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/ui/cutscenekeyboard.c b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/ui/cutscenekeyboard.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..79dd0323
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/ui/cutscenekeyboard.c
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#include "rpg/cutscene/item/cutsceneitem.h"
+#include "rpg/cutscene/cutscenesystem.h"
+#include "ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.h"
+
+void cutsceneKeyboardStart(
+  const cutsceneitem_t *item,
+  cutsceneitemdata_t *data
+) {
+  uiKeyboardOpen(&item->keyboard.open);
+}
+
+bool_t cutsceneKeyboardUpdate(
+  const cutsceneitem_t *item,
+  cutsceneitemdata_t *data
+) {
+  if(uiKeyboardIsOpen()) return false;
+
+  cutsceneSystemSetTextCache(UI_KEYBOARD.text);
+  return true;
+}
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/ui/cutscenekeyboard.h b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/ui/cutscenekeyboard.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6a7c7a98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/ui/cutscenekeyboard.h
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+#include "dusk.h"
+#include "ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.h"
+
+typedef struct cutsceneitem_s cutsceneitem_t;
+typedef union cutsceneitemdata_u cutsceneitemdata_t;
+
+typedef struct {
+  // Passed straight through to uiKeyboardOpen - see uikeyboardopen_t.
+  uikeyboardopen_t open;
+} cutscenekeyboard_t;
+
+/**
+ * Starts a keyboard item (opens the on-screen keyboard with the item's
+ * open parameters, unmodified - see uiKeyboardOpen).
+ *
+ * @param item The cutscene item.
+ * @param data Runtime data storage.
+ */
+void cutsceneKeyboardStart(
+  const cutsceneitem_t *item,
+  cutsceneitemdata_t *data
+);
+
+/**
+ * Updates a keyboard item. Blocks the cutscene while the keyboard is
+ * open; once it closes (confirmed or cancelled), caches its resulting
+ * text via cutsceneSystemSetTextCache (see cutsceneSystemGetTextCache)
+ * before completing, regardless of whether confirm or cancel was
+ * picked - check UI_KEYBOARD.confirmed from the item's own onInput
+ * callback if that distinction matters.
+ *
+ * @param item The cutscene item.
+ * @param data Runtime data storage.
+ * @returns true once the keyboard has closed; false while still open.
+ */
+bool_t cutsceneKeyboardUpdate(
+  const cutsceneitem_t *item,
+  cutsceneitemdata_t *data
+);
diff --git a/src/dusk/ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.c b/src/dusk/ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.c
index 97f5fe8c..51cfd369 100644
--- a/src/dusk/ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.c
+++ b/src/dusk/ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.c
@@ -424,7 +424,8 @@ void uiKeyboardOpen(const uikeyboardopen_t *open) {
   );
 
   stringCopy(
-    UI_KEYBOARD.titleText, UI_KEYBOARD_TITLE_DEFAULT,
+    UI_KEYBOARD.titleText,
+    open->title != NULL ? open->title : UI_KEYBOARD_TITLE_DEFAULT,
     UI_KEYBOARD_TITLE_TEXT_MAX - 1
   );
   UI_KEYBOARD.titleLabel.dirty = true;
diff --git a/src/dusk/ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.h b/src/dusk/ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.h
index ce1d00c7..565d7cba 100644
--- a/src/dusk/ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.h
+++ b/src/dusk/ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.h
@@ -118,10 +118,16 @@ typedef void (*uikeyboardinputcallback_t)(
 typedef bool_t (*uikeyboardkeypresscallback_t)(const char_t c, void *user);
 
 /**
- * Parameters for uiKeyboardOpen. Expect this to grow (e.g. title/button
- * text overrides) as more dialogs start using the keyboard.
+ * Parameters for uiKeyboardOpen. Expect this to grow (e.g. button text
+ * overrides) as more dialogs start using the keyboard.
  */
 typedef struct {
+  // Title text shown above the entered text; copied internally, safe to
+  // be transient. Displayed as-is - resolve any locale string yourself
+  // before passing it in. NULL uses UI_KEYBOARD_TITLE_DEFAULT ("ENTER
+  // YOUR TEXT").
+  const char_t *title;
+
   // Fired once the dialog is dismissed, confirmed or cancelled. May be
   // NULL.
   uikeyboardinputcallback_t onInput;
diff --git a/src/dusk/ui/dialog/save/uiselectsave.c b/src/dusk/ui/dialog/save/uiselectsave.c
index 1674879c..12179ff8 100644
--- a/src/dusk/ui/dialog/save/uiselectsave.c
+++ b/src/dusk/ui/dialog/save/uiselectsave.c
@@ -8,10 +8,13 @@
 #include "uiselectsave.h"
 #include "ui/widget/uiframe.h"
 #include "ui/dialog/uiconfirm.h"
+#include "ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.h"
+#include "ui/overlay/uifatalerror.h"
 #include "save/save.h"
 #include "time/timeepoch.h"
 #include "assert/assert.h"
 #include "util/memory.h"
+#include "util/string.h"
 #include "display/screen/screen.h"
 #include "display/text/text.h"
 #include "display/color.h"
@@ -89,6 +92,57 @@ void uiSelectSaveConfirmDelete(const uint8_t index) {
   );
 }
 
+void uiSelectSaveNameEntered(
+  const char_t *text,
+  const bool_t confirmed,
+  void *user
+) {
+  if(!confirmed) return;
+
+  assertTrue(SAVE.deviceCurrent != 0xFF, "No current device");
+  const uint8_t index = UI_SELECT_SAVE.pendingNameIndex;
+
+  saveslot_t slot;
+  saveSlotInit(&slot);
+  stringCopy(slot.cachedData.name, text, SAVE_SLOT_NAME_LENGTH);
+
+  errorret_t writeResult = saveDeviceSlotWrite(
+    &SAVE.devices[SAVE.deviceCurrent], &slot, index
+  );
+  if(errorIsNotOk(writeResult)) {
+    errorCatch(errorPrint(writeResult));
+    uiFatalErrorOpen(writeResult.state->message);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  SAVE.caches[index] = slot.cachedData;
+  uiSelectSaveRefreshSlot(index);
+
+  UI_SELECT_SAVE.result = index;
+  uiSelectSaveClose();
+}
+
+void uiSelectSaveNameEmptySlot(const uint8_t index) {
+  UI_SELECT_SAVE.pendingNameIndex = index;
+
+  char_t title[UI_KEYBOARD_TITLE_TEXT_MAX];
+  errorret_t result = assetLocaleGetString(
+    &LOCALE.entry->data.locale, "ui.select_save.name_title", 0,
+    title, sizeof(title)
+  );
+  if(errorIsNotOk(result)) errorCatch(result);
+
+  uikeyboardopen_t open = {
+    .title = title,
+    .onInput = uiSelectSaveNameEntered,
+    .cancel = true,
+    .maxLength = SAVE_SLOT_NAME_LENGTH,
+    .trimmed = true,
+    .allowBlank = false
+  };
+  uiKeyboardOpen(&open);
+}
+
 void uiSelectSaveSetActionLabel(const uiselectsavetype_t type) {
   const char_t *labelKey = type == UI_SELECT_SAVE_TYPE_LOAD ?
     "ui.select_save.delete_mode" : "ui.confirm.cancel";
@@ -132,6 +186,11 @@ void uiSelectSaveSlotSelected(
     return;
   }
 
+  if(!saveSlotInUse(&SAVE.caches[index])) {
+    uiSelectSaveNameEmptySlot(index);
+    return;
+  }
+
   UI_SELECT_SAVE.result = index;
   uiSelectSaveClose();
 }
diff --git a/src/dusk/ui/dialog/save/uiselectsave.h b/src/dusk/ui/dialog/save/uiselectsave.h
index 4997767d..d916c016 100644
--- a/src/dusk/ui/dialog/save/uiselectsave.h
+++ b/src/dusk/ui/dialog/save/uiselectsave.h
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ typedef struct {
   uisaveslot_t slots[SAVE_SLOT_COUNT];
   uiscrolling_t scroll;
   uint8_t pendingDeleteIndex;
+  uint8_t pendingNameIndex;
 
   uiselectsaveresultcallback_t callback;
   void *user;
diff --git a/src/dusk/ui/overlay/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/ui/overlay/CMakeLists.txt
index d6c051b3..2c49abf3 100644
--- a/src/dusk/ui/overlay/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/dusk/ui/overlay/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -8,4 +8,5 @@ target_sources(${DUSK_LIBRARY_TARGET_NAME}
     uicrop.c
     uifullbox.c
     uiloading.c
+    uifatalerror.c
 )
diff --git a/src/dusk/ui/overlay/uifatalerror.c b/src/dusk/ui/overlay/uifatalerror.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4f619de7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/ui/overlay/uifatalerror.c
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#include "uifatalerror.h"
+#include "ui/widget/uiframe.h"
+#include "ui/widget/uibutton.h"
+#include "engine/engine.h"
+#include "assert/assert.h"
+#include "util/memory.h"
+#include "util/string.h"
+#include "util/math.h"
+#include "display/screen/screen.h"
+#include "display/color.h"
+#include "display/text/font.h"
+#include "display/spritebatch/spritebatch.h"
+
+uifatalerror_t UI_FATAL_ERROR;
+
+void uiFatalErrorMenuSelected(
+  const uimenu_t *menu,
+  const uint8_t index,
+  const uimenuitem_t *item
+) {
+  ENGINE.running = false;
+}
+
+errorret_t uiFatalErrorInit(void) {
+  memoryZero(&UI_FATAL_ERROR, sizeof(uifatalerror_t));
+
+  uiLabelInit(
+    &UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageLabel, UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageText,
+    UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageSprites, UI_FATAL_ERROR_MESSAGE_SPRITES_MAX
+  );
+
+  errorOk();
+}
+
+void uiFatalErrorOpen(const char_t *message) {
+  assertNotNull(message, "Message cannot be NULL");
+  // This is the last line of defense - it must never itself fail, so a
+  // second fatal error while one is already showing is silently dropped
+  // rather than asserting.
+  if(UI_FATAL_ERROR.open) return;
+
+  stringCopy(
+    UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageText, message, UI_FATAL_ERROR_MESSAGE_MAX - 1
+  );
+  UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageLabel.dirty = true;
+  uiLabelRebuffer(&UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageLabel);
+
+  UI_FATAL_ERROR.open = true;
+
+  uiMenuInit(&UI_FATAL_ERROR.menu, uiFatalErrorMenuSelected, NULL, NULL);
+  UI_FATAL_ERROR.items[0].type = UI_MENU_WIDGET_TYPE_BUTTON;
+  uiButtonInit(&UI_FATAL_ERROR.items[0].button, UI_FATAL_ERROR_QUIT_LABEL);
+  uiMenuSetItems(
+    &UI_FATAL_ERROR.menu, UI_FATAL_ERROR.items, UI_FATAL_ERROR_ITEM_COUNT, 1
+  );
+  // No way out but the QUIT button - this is a fatal, unrecoverable
+  // condition.
+  uiMenuSetDisableBack(&UI_FATAL_ERROR.menu, true);
+  uiMenuOpen(&UI_FATAL_ERROR.menu);
+}
+
+bool_t uiFatalErrorIsOpen(void) {
+  return UI_FATAL_ERROR.open;
+}
+
+errorret_t uiFatalErrorDraw(void) {
+  if(!UI_FATAL_ERROR.open) errorOk();
+
+  const float_t x = (float_t)SCREEN.scanX;
+  const float_t y = (float_t)SCREEN.scanY;
+  const float_t width = (float_t)SCREEN.scanWidth;
+  const float_t height = (float_t)SCREEN.scanHeight;
+
+  errorChain(uiFrameDraw(x, y, width, height));
+
+  const float_t rowHeight = (float_t)FONT_DEFAULT.tileset->tileHeight;
+  const float_t contentWidth = mathMax(
+    (float_t)UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageLabel.width,
+    (float_t)UI_FATAL_ERROR.items[0].button.label.width
+  );
+  const float_t contentHeight = (float_t)UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageLabel.height +
+    UI_FRAME_PADDING_Y + rowHeight;
+
+  const float_t contentX = x + (width - contentWidth) * 0.5f;
+  const float_t contentY = y + (height - contentHeight) * 0.5f;
+
+  uiLabelSetX(&UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageLabel, contentX);
+  uiLabelSetY(&UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageLabel, contentY);
+  errorChain(uiLabelRender(&UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageLabel, COLOR_WHITE));
+
+  const float_t menuY = contentY +
+    (float_t)UI_FATAL_ERROR.messageLabel.height + UI_FRAME_PADDING_Y;
+  errorChain(uiMenuDraw(&UI_FATAL_ERROR.menu, contentX, menuY, contentWidth, rowHeight));
+
+  errorChain(spriteBatchFlush());
+  errorOk();
+}
+
+errorret_t uiFatalErrorDispose(void) {
+  errorOk();
+}
diff --git a/src/dusk/ui/overlay/uifatalerror.h b/src/dusk/ui/overlay/uifatalerror.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c392960c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/ui/overlay/uifatalerror.h
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+#include "error/error.h"
+#include "ui/widget/uilabel.h"
+#include "ui/widget/uimenu.h"
+
+#define UI_FATAL_ERROR_MESSAGE_MAX 256
+#define UI_FATAL_ERROR_MESSAGE_SPRITES_MAX UI_FATAL_ERROR_MESSAGE_MAX
+#define UI_FATAL_ERROR_ITEM_COUNT 1
+#define UI_FATAL_ERROR_QUIT_LABEL "QUIT"
+
+typedef struct {
+  bool_t open;
+
+  uilabel_t messageLabel;
+  char_t messageText[UI_FATAL_ERROR_MESSAGE_MAX];
+  spritebatchsprite_t messageSprites[UI_FATAL_ERROR_MESSAGE_SPRITES_MAX];
+
+  uimenu_t menu;
+  uimenuitem_t items[UI_FATAL_ERROR_ITEM_COUNT];
+} uifatalerror_t;
+
+extern uifatalerror_t UI_FATAL_ERROR;
+
+/**
+ * Initializes the fatal error overlay.
+ *
+ * @return Any error that occurs.
+ */
+errorret_t uiFatalErrorInit(void);
+
+/**
+ * Opens the fatal error overlay, a fullscreen, non-dismissible display
+ * for an unrecoverable error - the only way out is its QUIT button,
+ * which sets ENGINE.running to false. Intended as a last-resort, nicer-
+ * looking alternative to a raw assert crash for a genuinely fatal
+ * condition, so it must never itself fail: a second call while already
+ * open is silently ignored rather than asserting, and it draws above
+ * every other UI element.
+ *
+ * @param message The error text to display; copied internally, safe to
+ * be transient. Truncated to UI_FATAL_ERROR_MESSAGE_MAX - 1 characters.
+ */
+void uiFatalErrorOpen(const char_t *message);
+
+/**
+ * Returns whether the fatal error overlay is currently open.
+ *
+ * @returns True if open.
+ */
+bool_t uiFatalErrorIsOpen(void);
+
+/**
+ * Draws the fatal error overlay. No-op when not open.
+ *
+ * @return Any error that occurs.
+ */
+errorret_t uiFatalErrorDraw(void);
+
+/**
+ * Disposes of the fatal error overlay.
+ *
+ * @return Any error that occurs.
+ */
+errorret_t uiFatalErrorDispose(void);
diff --git a/src/dusk/ui/screen/mainmenu/uimainmenu.c b/src/dusk/ui/screen/mainmenu/uimainmenu.c
index 57508b85..4dd78f3d 100644
--- a/src/dusk/ui/screen/mainmenu/uimainmenu.c
+++ b/src/dusk/ui/screen/mainmenu/uimainmenu.c
@@ -16,15 +16,11 @@
 #include "locale/localemanager.h"
 #include "asset/loader/locale/assetlocaleloader.h"
 #include "ui/dialog/uiconfirm.h"
-#include "ui/dialog/keyboard/uikeyboard.h"
 #include "scene/mainmenu/scenemainmenu.h"
-#include "console/console.h"
 
 #define UI_MAIN_MENU_INDEX_START_GAME 0
 #define UI_MAIN_MENU_INDEX_OPTIONS 1
 #define UI_MAIN_MENU_INDEX_QUIT 2
-// TODO: temporary - see UI_MAIN_MENU_ITEM_COUNT in uimainmenu.h.
-#define UI_MAIN_MENU_INDEX_LOAD_GAME_TEST 3
 
 uimainmenu_t UI_MAIN_MENU;
 
@@ -32,22 +28,6 @@ void uiMainMenuQuitConfirmed(const bool_t result, void *user) {
   if(result) ENGINE.running = false;
 }
 
-bool_t uiMainMenuKeyboardTestKeyPress(const char_t c, void *user) {
-  consolePrint("uiKeyboard onKeyPress: '%c'", c);
-  return true;
-}
-
-void uiMainMenuKeyboardTestInput(
-  const char_t *text,
-  const bool_t confirmed,
-  void *user
-) {
-  consolePrint(
-    "uiKeyboard onInput: confirmed=%s text='%s'",
-    confirmed ? "true" : "false", text
-  );
-}
-
 void uiMainMenuSelected(
   const uimenu_t *menu,
   const uint8_t index,
@@ -68,22 +48,6 @@ void uiMainMenuSelected(
       uiConfirmOpen("main_menu.quit_confirm", uiMainMenuQuitConfirmed, NULL);
       break;
 
-    case UI_MAIN_MENU_INDEX_LOAD_GAME_TEST: {
-      uikeyboardopen_t open = {
-        .onInput = uiMainMenuKeyboardTestInput,
-        .onKeyPress = uiMainMenuKeyboardTestKeyPress,
-        .cancel = true,
-        .confirm = true,
-        .cancelConfirm = true,
-        .user = NULL,
-        .maxLength = 6,
-        .lineCount = 2,
-        .allowBlank = true, 
-      };
-      uiKeyboardOpen(&open);
-      break;
-    }
-
     default:
       break;
   }
@@ -120,8 +84,6 @@ errorret_t uiMainMenuInit(void) {
   MENU_BUTTON(UI_MAIN_MENU.startGameLabel);
   MENU_BUTTON(UI_MAIN_MENU.optionsLabel);
   MENU_BUTTON(UI_MAIN_MENU.quitLabel);
-  // TODO: temporary - see UI_MAIN_MENU_ITEM_COUNT in uimainmenu.h.
-  MENU_BUTTON("LOAD GAME (TEST)");
   MENU_END(UI_MAIN_MENU.items, 1);
 
   // The main menu is the root screen once past the initial boot check -
diff --git a/src/dusk/ui/screen/mainmenu/uimainmenu.h b/src/dusk/ui/screen/mainmenu/uimainmenu.h
index 8c2178d7..3a53c9ee 100644
--- a/src/dusk/ui/screen/mainmenu/uimainmenu.h
+++ b/src/dusk/ui/screen/mainmenu/uimainmenu.h
@@ -9,12 +9,9 @@
 #include "error/error.h"
 #include "ui/widget/uimenu.h"
 
-// TODO: item count/height bumped for the temporary "LOAD GAME (TEST)"
-// keyboard test entry in uiMainMenuSelected - drop back to 3/160 once
-// the keyboard is wired up somewhere real and this is removed.
-#define UI_MAIN_MENU_ITEM_COUNT 4
+#define UI_MAIN_MENU_ITEM_COUNT 3
 #define UI_MAIN_MENU_WIDTH 200.0f
-#define UI_MAIN_MENU_HEIGHT 200.0f
+#define UI_MAIN_MENU_HEIGHT 160.0f
 #define UI_MAIN_MENU_LABEL_MAX 32
 
 typedef struct {
@@ -52,29 +49,3 @@ errorret_t uiMainMenuDraw(void);
  * @return Any error that occurs.
  */
 errorret_t uiMainMenuDispose(void);
-
-// TODO: temporary keyboard test hooks - see UI_MAIN_MENU_INDEX_LOAD_GAME_TEST
-// in uimainmenu.c. Remove once the keyboard is wired up somewhere real.
-
-/**
- * Test onKeyPress callback - console-prints every key press and allows
- * all of them.
- *
- * @param c The character about to be entered.
- * @param user Unused.
- * @returns Always true.
- */
-bool_t uiMainMenuKeyboardTestKeyPress(const char_t c, void *user);
-
-/**
- * Test onInput callback - console-prints the final result.
- *
- * @param text The entered text.
- * @param confirmed Whether confirm (vs cancel) was picked.
- * @param user Unused.
- */
-void uiMainMenuKeyboardTestInput(
-  const char_t *text,
-  const bool_t confirmed,
-  void *user
-);
diff --git a/src/dusk/ui/uielementlist.c b/src/dusk/ui/uielementlist.c
index 68228361..3a0426a5 100644
--- a/src/dusk/ui/uielementlist.c
+++ b/src/dusk/ui/uielementlist.c
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #include "ui/debug/uifps.h"
 #include "ui/overlay/uifullbox.h"
 #include "ui/overlay/uiloading.h"
+#include "ui/overlay/uifatalerror.h"
 #include "ui/debug/uiplayerpos.h"
 #include "ui/overlay/uicrop.h"
 #include "ui/transition/uitransition.h"
@@ -135,6 +136,11 @@ uielement_t UI_ELEMENTS[] = {
     .update = uiLoadingUpdate,
     .draw = uiLoadingDraw
   },
+  {
+    .init = uiFatalErrorInit,
+    .draw = uiFatalErrorDraw,
+    .dispose = uiFatalErrorDispose
+  },
 
   // ===========================================================================
   // Important rendering components, lives outside the primary game engine