diff --git a/Autoloads/AchievementManager.cs b/Autoloads/AchievementManager.cs
index 38105e8..bf400cd 100644
--- a/Autoloads/AchievementManager.cs
+++ b/Autoloads/AchievementManager.cs
@@ -1,24 +1,22 @@
 using Godot;
-using Godot.Collections;
-using Mr.BrickAdventures;
 using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Resources;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.State;
 
 namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
 
+/// <summary>
+/// Manages achievements using GameStateStore.
+/// </summary>
 public partial class AchievementManager : Node
 {
     [Export] private string AchievementsFolderPath = "res://achievements/";
     [Export] private PackedScene AchievementPopupScene { get; set; }
 
     private System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary<string, AchievementResource> _achievements = new();
-    private Array<string> _unlockedAchievementIds = [];
-    private GameManager _gameManager;
 
     public override void _Ready()
     {
-        _gameManager = GetNode<GameManager>(Constants.GameManagerPath);
         LoadAchievementsFromFolder();
-        LoadUnlockedAchievements();
     }
 
     private void LoadAchievementsFromFolder()
@@ -46,6 +44,14 @@ public partial class AchievementManager : Node
         }
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets the list of unlocked achievement IDs from the store.
+    /// </summary>
+    private System.Collections.Generic.List<string> GetUnlockedIds()
+    {
+        return GameStateStore.Instance?.Player.UnlockedAchievements ?? new System.Collections.Generic.List<string>();
+    }
+
     public void UnlockAchievement(string achievementId)
     {
         if (!_achievements.TryGetValue(achievementId, out var achievement))
@@ -54,13 +60,14 @@ public partial class AchievementManager : Node
             return;
         }
 
-        if (_unlockedAchievementIds.Contains(achievementId))
+        var unlockedIds = GetUnlockedIds();
+        if (unlockedIds.Contains(achievementId))
         {
             return; // Already unlocked
         }
 
-        // 1. Mark as unlocked internally
-        _unlockedAchievementIds.Add(achievementId);
+        // 1. Mark as unlocked
+        unlockedIds.Add(achievementId);
         GD.Print($"Achievement Unlocked: {achievement.DisplayName}");
 
         // 2. Show the UI popup
@@ -76,31 +83,19 @@ public partial class AchievementManager : Node
         {
             SteamManager.UnlockAchievement(achievement.Id);
         }
-
-        // 4. Save progress
-        SaveUnlockedAchievements();
     }
 
     public void LockAchievement(string achievementId)
     {
-        if (_unlockedAchievementIds.Contains(achievementId))
+        var unlockedIds = GetUnlockedIds();
+        if (unlockedIds.Contains(achievementId))
         {
-            _unlockedAchievementIds.Remove(achievementId);
-            SaveUnlockedAchievements();
+            unlockedIds.Remove(achievementId);
         }
     }
 
-    private void SaveUnlockedAchievements()
+    public bool IsAchievementUnlocked(string achievementId)
     {
-        _gameManager.PlayerState["unlocked_achievements"] = _unlockedAchievementIds;
-        // You might want to trigger a save game here, depending on your SaveSystem
-    }
-
-    private void LoadUnlockedAchievements()
-    {
-        if (_gameManager.PlayerState.TryGetValue("unlocked_achievements", out var unlocked))
-        {
-            _unlockedAchievementIds = (Array<string>)unlocked;
-        }
+        return GetUnlockedIds().Contains(achievementId);
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Autoloads/EventBus.cs b/Autoloads/EventBus.cs
index fd881de..5647cec 100644
--- a/Autoloads/EventBus.cs
+++ b/Autoloads/EventBus.cs
@@ -116,6 +116,8 @@ public partial class EventBus : Node
     [Signal] public delegate void GamePausedEventHandler();
     [Signal] public delegate void GameResumedEventHandler();
     [Signal] public delegate void GameSavedEventHandler();
+    [Signal] public delegate void GameStartedEventHandler();
+    [Signal] public delegate void GameContinuedEventHandler();
 
     public static void EmitGamePaused()
         => Instance?.EmitSignal(SignalName.GamePaused);
@@ -126,5 +128,24 @@ public partial class EventBus : Node
     public static void EmitGameSaved()
         => Instance?.EmitSignal(SignalName.GameSaved);
 
+    public static void EmitGameStarted()
+        => Instance?.EmitSignal(SignalName.GameStarted);
+
+    public static void EmitGameContinued()
+        => Instance?.EmitSignal(SignalName.GameContinued);
+
+    #endregion
+
+    #region State Change Events
+
+    [Signal] public delegate void CoinsChangedEventHandler(int totalCoins);
+    [Signal] public delegate void LivesChangedEventHandler(int lives);
+
+    public static void EmitCoinsChanged(int totalCoins)
+        => Instance?.EmitSignal(SignalName.CoinsChanged, totalCoins);
+
+    public static void EmitLivesChanged(int lives)
+        => Instance?.EmitSignal(SignalName.LivesChanged, lives);
+
     #endregion
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Autoloads/GameManager.cs b/Autoloads/GameManager.cs
index b7bfc9f..55f891e 100644
--- a/Autoloads/GameManager.cs
+++ b/Autoloads/GameManager.cs
@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using Godot;
 using Godot.Collections;
-using Mr.BrickAdventures;
 using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.components;
 using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Resources;
-using Double = System.Double;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.State;
 
 namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
 
+/// <summary>
+/// Game orchestrator - handles scene management and game flow.
+/// State is delegated to GameStateStore for better separation of concerns.
+/// </summary>
 public partial class GameManager : Node
 {
     [Export] public Array<PackedScene> LevelScenes { get; set; } = [];
@@ -22,24 +25,10 @@ public partial class GameManager : Node
     private PlayerController _player;
     private SpeedRunManager _speedRunManager;
 
-
-    [Export]
-    public Dictionary PlayerState { get; set; } = new()
-    {
-        { "coins", 0 },
-        { "lives", 3 },
-        { "current_level", 0 },
-        { "completed_levels", new Array<int>() },
-        { "unlocked_levels", new Array<int>() {0}},
-        { "unlocked_skills", new Array<SkillData>() }
-    };
-
-    [Export]
-    public Dictionary CurrentSessionState { get; private set; } = new()
-    {
-        { "coins_collected", 0 },
-        { "skills_unlocked", new Array<SkillData>() }
-    };
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Lazy accessor for GameStateStore - avoids initialization order issues.
+    /// </summary>
+    private GameStateStore Store => GameStateStore.Instance;
 
     public override void _EnterTree()
     {
@@ -57,7 +46,6 @@ public partial class GameManager : Node
     public override void _Ready()
     {
         _speedRunManager = GetNode<SpeedRunManager>(Constants.SpeedRunManagerPath);
-
     }
 
     private void OnNodeAdded(Node node)
@@ -74,57 +62,71 @@ public partial class GameManager : Node
         }
     }
 
+    #region Coin Operations
+
     public void AddCoins(int amount)
     {
-        PlayerState["coins"] = Mathf.Max(0, (int)PlayerState["coins"] + amount);
-    }
-
-    public void SetCoins(int amount) => PlayerState["coins"] = Mathf.Max(0, amount);
-
-    public int GetCoins() => (int)PlayerState["coins"] + (int)CurrentSessionState["coins_collected"];
-
-    public void RemoveCoins(int amount)
-    {
-        var sessionCoins = (int)CurrentSessionState["coins_collected"];
-        if (amount <= sessionCoins)
+        if (Store != null)
         {
-            CurrentSessionState["coins_collected"] = sessionCoins - amount;
+            Store.Player.Coins += amount;
+            EventBus.EmitCoinsChanged(Store.GetTotalCoins());
         }
-        else
-        {
-            var remaining = amount - sessionCoins;
-            CurrentSessionState["coins_collected"] = 0;
-            PlayerState["coins"] = Mathf.Max(0, (int)PlayerState["coins"] - remaining);
-        }
-        PlayerState["coins"] = Mathf.Max(0, (int)PlayerState["coins"]);
     }
 
-    public void AddLives(int amount) => PlayerState["lives"] = (int)PlayerState["lives"] + amount;
-    public void RemoveLives(int amount) => PlayerState["lives"] = (int)PlayerState["lives"] - amount;
-    public void SetLives(int amount) => PlayerState["lives"] = amount;
-    public int GetLives() => (int)PlayerState["lives"];
-
-    public bool IsSkillUnlocked(SkillData skill)
+    public void SetCoins(int amount)
     {
-        return ((Array)PlayerState["unlocked_skills"]).Contains(skill)
-               || ((Array)CurrentSessionState["skills_unlocked"]).Contains(skill);
+        if (Store != null)
+        {
+            Store.Player.Coins = Mathf.Max(0, amount);
+            EventBus.EmitCoinsChanged(Store.GetTotalCoins());
+        }
     }
 
+    public int GetCoins() => Store?.GetTotalCoins() ?? 0;
+
+    public void RemoveCoins(int amount) => Store?.RemoveCoins(amount);
+
+    #endregion
+
+    #region Lives Operations
+
+    public void AddLives(int amount) => Store?.AddLives(amount);
+    public void RemoveLives(int amount) => Store?.RemoveLife();
+    public void SetLives(int amount)
+    {
+        if (Store != null)
+        {
+            Store.Player.Lives = amount;
+            EventBus.EmitLivesChanged(amount);
+        }
+    }
+    public int GetLives() => Store?.Player.Lives ?? 0;
+
+    #endregion
+
+    #region Skill Operations
+
+    public bool IsSkillUnlocked(SkillData skill) => Store?.IsSkillUnlocked(skill) ?? false;
+
     public void UnlockSkill(SkillData skill)
     {
-        if (!IsSkillUnlocked(skill))
-            ((Array)PlayerState["unlocked_skills"]).Add(skill);
+        if (Store != null && !Store.IsSkillUnlocked(skill))
+        {
+            Store.Player.UnlockedSkills.Add(skill);
+        }
     }
 
     public void RemoveSkill(string skillName)
     {
-        var arr = (Array)PlayerState["unlocked_skills"];
-        foreach (SkillData s in arr)
+        if (Store == null) return;
+        var skills = Store.Player.UnlockedSkills;
+        for (int i = 0; i < skills.Count; i++)
         {
-            if (s.Name != skillName) continue;
-
-            arr.Remove(s);
-            break;
+            if (skills[i].Name == skillName)
+            {
+                skills.RemoveAt(i);
+                break;
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -134,76 +136,79 @@ public partial class GameManager : Node
             UnlockSkill(s);
     }
 
-    public void ResetPlayerState()
+    public Array<SkillData> GetUnlockedSkills()
     {
-        PlayerState = new Dictionary
-        {
-            { "coins", 0 },
-            { "lives", 3 },
-            { "current_level", 0 },
-            { "completed_levels", new Array<int>() },
-            { "unlocked_levels", new Array<int>() {0}},
-            { "unlocked_skills", new Array<SkillData>() },
-            { "statistics", new Godot.Collections.Dictionary<string, Variant>()}
-        };
+        if (Store == null) return new Array<SkillData>();
+
+        var result = new Array<SkillData>();
+        foreach (var s in Store.Player.UnlockedSkills)
+            result.Add(s);
+        foreach (var s in Store.Session.SkillsUnlocked)
+            if (!result.Contains(s)) result.Add(s);
+        return result;
     }
 
-    public void UnlockLevel(int levelIndex)
-    {
-        var unlocked = (Array)PlayerState["unlocked_levels"];
-        if (!unlocked.Contains(levelIndex)) unlocked.Add(levelIndex);
-    }
+    #endregion
+
+    #region Level Operations
+
+    public void UnlockLevel(int levelIndex) => Store?.UnlockLevel(levelIndex);
+
+    public void MarkLevelComplete(int levelIndex) => Store?.MarkLevelComplete(levelIndex);
 
     public void TryToGoToNextLevel()
     {
-        var next = (int)PlayerState["current_level"] + 1;
-        var unlocked = (Array)PlayerState["unlocked_levels"];
-        if (next < LevelScenes.Count && unlocked.Contains(next))
+        if (Store == null) return;
+
+        var next = Store.Session.CurrentLevel + 1;
+        if (next < LevelScenes.Count && Store.IsLevelUnlocked(next))
         {
-            PlayerState["current_level"] = next;
+            Store.Session.CurrentLevel = next;
             GetTree().ChangeSceneToPacked(LevelScenes[next]);
             EventBus.EmitLevelStarted(next, GetTree().CurrentScene);
         }
     }
 
-    public void MarkLevelComplete(int levelIndex)
-    {
-        UnlockLevel(levelIndex + 1);
-        var completed = (Array)PlayerState["completed_levels"];
-        if (!completed.Contains(levelIndex)) completed.Add(levelIndex);
-    }
+    #endregion
 
-    public void ResetCurrentSessionState()
-    {
-        CurrentSessionState = new Dictionary
-        {
-            { "coins_collected", 0 },
-            { "skills_unlocked", new Array<SkillData>() }
-        };
-    }
+    #region State Reset
+
+    public void ResetPlayerState() => Store?.ResetAll();
+
+    public void ResetCurrentSessionState() => Store?.ResetSession();
+
+    #endregion
+
+    #region Game Flow
 
     public void RestartGame()
     {
-        ResetPlayerState();
-        ResetCurrentSessionState();
+        Store?.ResetAll();
         GetTree().ChangeSceneToPacked(LevelScenes[0]);
         GetNode<SaveSystem>(Constants.SaveSystemPath).SaveGame();
     }
 
     public void QuitGame() => GetTree().Quit();
 
-    public void PauseGame() => Engine.TimeScale = 0;
-    public void ResumeGame() => Engine.TimeScale = 1;
+    public void PauseGame()
+    {
+        Engine.TimeScale = 0;
+        EventBus.EmitGamePaused();
+    }
+
+    public void ResumeGame()
+    {
+        Engine.TimeScale = 1;
+        EventBus.EmitGameResumed();
+    }
 
     public void StartNewGame()
     {
-        ResetPlayerState();
-        ResetCurrentSessionState();
-
+        Store?.ResetAll();
         _speedRunManager?.StartTimer();
-
         GetTree().ChangeSceneToPacked(LevelScenes[0]);
         GetNode<SaveSystem>(Constants.SaveSystemPath).SaveGame();
+        EventBus.EmitGameStarted();
     }
 
     public void ContinueGame()
@@ -216,41 +221,38 @@ public partial class GameManager : Node
             return;
         }
 
-        var idx = (int)PlayerState["current_level"];
+        var idx = Store?.Session.CurrentLevel ?? 0;
         if (idx < LevelScenes.Count)
+        {
             GetTree().ChangeSceneToPacked(LevelScenes[idx]);
+            EventBus.EmitGameContinued();
+        }
         else
+        {
             GD.PrintErr("No levels unlocked to continue.");
+        }
     }
 
     public void OnLevelComplete()
     {
-        var levelIndex = (int)PlayerState["current_level"];
-        MarkLevelComplete(levelIndex);
+        if (Store == null) return;
 
-        AddCoins((int)CurrentSessionState["coins_collected"]);
-        foreach (var s in (Array)CurrentSessionState["skills_unlocked"])
-            UnlockSkill((SkillData)s);
+        var levelIndex = Store.Session.CurrentLevel;
+        Store.MarkLevelComplete(levelIndex);
+        Store.CommitSessionCoins();
+        Store.CommitSessionSkills();
 
         var completionTime = _speedRunManager?.GetCurrentLevelTime() ?? 0.0;
         EventBus.EmitLevelCompleted(levelIndex, GetTree().CurrentScene, completionTime);
 
-        ResetCurrentSessionState();
+        Store.ResetSession();
         TryToGoToNextLevel();
         GetNode<SaveSystem>(Constants.SaveSystemPath).SaveGame();
     }
 
-    public Array<SkillData> GetUnlockedSkills()
-    {
-        var unlocked = (Array<SkillData>)PlayerState["unlocked_skills"];
-        var session = (Array<SkillData>)CurrentSessionState["skills_unlocked"];
-        if (session!.Count == 0) return unlocked;
-        if (unlocked!.Count == 0) return session;
-        var joined = new Array<SkillData>();
-        joined.AddRange(unlocked);
-        joined.AddRange(session);
-        return joined;
-    }
+    #endregion
+
+    #region Player Lookup
 
     public PlayerController GetPlayer()
     {
@@ -269,4 +271,6 @@ public partial class GameManager : Node
         GD.PrintErr("PlayerController not found in the scene tree.");
         return null;
     }
+
+    #endregion
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Autoloads/GameStateStore.cs b/Autoloads/GameStateStore.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46acff8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Autoloads/GameStateStore.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+using Godot;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Resources;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.State;
+
+namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Central store for game state - single source of truth.
+/// Use the static Instance property for easy access.
+/// </summary>
+public partial class GameStateStore : Node
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Singleton instance.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static GameStateStore Instance { get; private set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Persistent player state (saved to disk).
+    /// </summary>
+    public PlayerState Player { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Current session state (transient, reset on death/level complete).
+    /// </summary>
+    public SessionState Session { get; set; } = new();
+
+    public override void _Ready()
+    {
+        Instance = this;
+    }
+
+    public override void _ExitTree()
+    {
+        if (Instance == this)
+            Instance = null;
+    }
+
+    #region Coin Operations
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets total coins (saved + session).
+    /// </summary>
+    public int GetTotalCoins() => Player.Coins + Session.CoinsCollected;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Adds coins to the session (not saved until level complete).
+    /// </summary>
+    public void AddSessionCoins(int amount)
+    {
+        Session.CoinsCollected += amount;
+        EventBus.EmitCoinsChanged(GetTotalCoins());
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Commits session coins to player state.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void CommitSessionCoins()
+    {
+        Player.Coins += Session.CoinsCollected;
+        Session.CoinsCollected = 0;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Removes coins, first from session then from saved.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void RemoveCoins(int amount)
+    {
+        if (amount <= Session.CoinsCollected)
+        {
+            Session.CoinsCollected -= amount;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            var remaining = amount - Session.CoinsCollected;
+            Session.CoinsCollected = 0;
+            Player.Coins = Mathf.Max(0, Player.Coins - remaining);
+        }
+        EventBus.EmitCoinsChanged(GetTotalCoins());
+    }
+
+    #endregion
+
+    #region Lives Operations
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Decrements lives by 1.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void RemoveLife()
+    {
+        Player.Lives = Mathf.Max(0, Player.Lives - 1);
+        EventBus.EmitLivesChanged(Player.Lives);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Adds lives.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void AddLives(int amount)
+    {
+        Player.Lives += amount;
+        EventBus.EmitLivesChanged(Player.Lives);
+    }
+
+    #endregion
+
+    #region Level Operations
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Unlocks a level for access.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void UnlockLevel(int levelIndex)
+    {
+        if (!Player.UnlockedLevels.Contains(levelIndex))
+            Player.UnlockedLevels.Add(levelIndex);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Marks a level as completed and unlocks the next.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void MarkLevelComplete(int levelIndex)
+    {
+        if (!Player.CompletedLevels.Contains(levelIndex))
+            Player.CompletedLevels.Add(levelIndex);
+        UnlockLevel(levelIndex + 1);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Checks if a level is unlocked.
+    /// </summary>
+    public bool IsLevelUnlocked(int levelIndex) => Player.UnlockedLevels.Contains(levelIndex);
+
+    #endregion
+
+    #region Skill Operations
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Checks if a skill is unlocked (saved or session).
+    /// </summary>
+    public bool IsSkillUnlocked(SkillData skill)
+    {
+        return Player.UnlockedSkills.Contains(skill) || Session.SkillsUnlocked.Contains(skill);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Unlocks a skill in the session.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void UnlockSkillInSession(SkillData skill)
+    {
+        if (!IsSkillUnlocked(skill))
+            Session.SkillsUnlocked.Add(skill);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Commits session skills to player state.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void CommitSessionSkills()
+    {
+        foreach (var skill in Session.SkillsUnlocked)
+        {
+            if (!Player.UnlockedSkills.Contains(skill))
+                Player.UnlockedSkills.Add(skill);
+        }
+        Session.SkillsUnlocked.Clear();
+    }
+
+    #endregion
+
+    #region Reset Operations
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Resets only the session state.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void ResetSession() => Session.Reset();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Resets everything to defaults.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void ResetAll()
+    {
+        Player.Reset();
+        Session.ResetAll();
+    }
+
+    #endregion
+}
diff --git a/Autoloads/GameStateStore.cs.uid b/Autoloads/GameStateStore.cs.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f216d4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Autoloads/GameStateStore.cs.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://bwrhkipwecytk
diff --git a/Autoloads/SaveSystem.cs b/Autoloads/SaveSystem.cs
index 0eeda5f..56afb00 100644
--- a/Autoloads/SaveSystem.cs
+++ b/Autoloads/SaveSystem.cs
@@ -1,62 +1,123 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
 using Godot;
-using Godot.Collections;
-using Mr.BrickAdventures;
-using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Resources;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.State;
 
 namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
 
+/// <summary>
+/// Save system that serializes POCOs directly to JSON.
+/// </summary>
 public partial class SaveSystem : Node
 {
-    [Export] public string SavePath { get; set; } = "user://savegame.save";
-    [Export] public int Version { get; set; } = 1;
+    [Export] public string SavePath { get; set; } = "user://savegame.json";
+    [Export] public int Version { get; set; } = 2; // Bumped version for new format
 
-    private GameManager _gameManager;
+    private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions JsonOptions = new()
+    {
+        WriteIndented = true,
+        PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase
+    };
 
     public override void _Ready()
     {
-        _gameManager = GetNode<GameManager>(Constants.GameManagerPath);
+        // No longer needs GameManager reference - works with GameStateStore directly
     }
 
     public void SaveGame()
     {
-        var saveData = new Dictionary
+        var store = GameStateStore.Instance;
+        if (store == null)
         {
-            { "player_state", _gameManager.PlayerState},
-            { "version", Version}
+            GD.PrintErr("SaveSystem: GameStateStore not available.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var saveData = new SaveData
+        {
+            Version = Version,
+            Player = store.Player,
+            CurrentLevel = store.Session.CurrentLevel
         };
 
-        using var file = FileAccess.Open(SavePath, FileAccess.ModeFlags.Write);
-        file.StoreVar(saveData);
-        GD.Print("Game state saved to: ", SavePath);
+        try
+        {
+            var json = JsonSerializer.Serialize(saveData, JsonOptions);
+            using var file = FileAccess.Open(SavePath, FileAccess.ModeFlags.Write);
+            file.StoreString(json);
+            GD.Print("Game saved to: ", SavePath);
+            EventBus.EmitGameSaved();
+        }
+        catch (System.Exception e)
+        {
+            GD.PrintErr($"SaveSystem: Failed to save game: {e.Message}");
+        }
     }
 
     public bool LoadGame()
     {
         if (!FileAccess.FileExists(SavePath))
-            return false;
-
-        using var file = FileAccess.Open(SavePath, FileAccess.ModeFlags.Read);
-        var saveDataObj = (Dictionary)file.GetVar();
-
-        if (saveDataObj.ContainsKey("version") && (int)saveDataObj["version"] != Version)
         {
-            GD.Print($"Save file version mismatch. Expected: {Version}, Found: {saveDataObj["version"]}");
+            GD.Print("SaveSystem: No save file found.");
             return false;
         }
 
-        GD.Print("Game state loaded from: ", SavePath);
-        GD.Print("Player state: ", saveDataObj["player_state"]);
-        _gameManager.PlayerState = (Dictionary)saveDataObj["player_state"];
-
-        var skills = new Array<SkillData>();
-        foreach (var skill in (Array<SkillData>)_gameManager.PlayerState["unlocked_skills"])
+        try
         {
-            skills.Add(skill);
-        }
+            using var file = FileAccess.Open(SavePath, FileAccess.ModeFlags.Read);
+            var json = file.GetAsText();
+            var saveData = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<SaveData>(json, JsonOptions);
 
-        _gameManager.UnlockSkills(skills);
-        return true;
+            if (saveData == null)
+            {
+                GD.PrintErr("SaveSystem: Failed to deserialize save data.");
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            if (saveData.Version != Version)
+            {
+                GD.PrintErr($"SaveSystem: Version mismatch. Expected {Version}, found {saveData.Version}");
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            var store = GameStateStore.Instance;
+            if (store == null)
+            {
+                GD.PrintErr("SaveSystem: GameStateStore not available.");
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            // Apply loaded state
+            store.Player = saveData.Player ?? new PlayerState();
+            store.Session.CurrentLevel = saveData.CurrentLevel;
+
+            GD.Print("Game loaded from: ", SavePath);
+            return true;
+        }
+        catch (System.Exception e)
+        {
+            GD.PrintErr($"SaveSystem: Failed to load game: {e.Message}");
+            return false;
+        }
     }
 
     public bool CheckSaveExists() => FileAccess.FileExists(SavePath);
+
+    public void DeleteSave()
+    {
+        if (FileAccess.FileExists(SavePath))
+        {
+            DirAccess.RemoveAbsolute(ProjectSettings.GlobalizePath(SavePath));
+            GD.Print("Save file deleted.");
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Container for save data.
+/// </summary>
+public class SaveData
+{
+    public int Version { get; set; }
+    public PlayerState Player { get; set; }
+    public int CurrentLevel { get; set; }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Autoloads/StatisticsManager.cs b/Autoloads/StatisticsManager.cs
index f8406bd..c2669f3 100644
--- a/Autoloads/StatisticsManager.cs
+++ b/Autoloads/StatisticsManager.cs
@@ -1,33 +1,21 @@
+using System.Collections.Generic;
 using Godot;
-using Godot.Collections;
-using Mr.BrickAdventures;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.State;
 
 namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
 
+/// <summary>
+/// Manages game statistics using GameStateStore.
+/// </summary>
 public partial class StatisticsManager : Node
 {
-    private GameManager _gameManager;
-    private AchievementManager _achievementManager;
-    private Dictionary<string, Variant> _stats = new();
 
-    public override void _Ready()
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets the statistics dictionary from the store.
+    /// </summary>
+    private Dictionary<string, int> GetStats()
     {
-        _gameManager = GetNode<GameManager>(Constants.GameManagerPath);
-        _achievementManager = GetNode<AchievementManager>(Constants.AchievementManagerPath);
-        LoadStatistics();
-    }
-
-    private void LoadStatistics()
-    {
-        if (_gameManager.PlayerState.TryGetValue("statistics", out var statsObj))
-        {
-            _stats = (Dictionary<string, Variant>)statsObj;
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            _stats = new Dictionary<string, Variant>();
-            _gameManager.PlayerState["statistics"] = _stats;
-        }
+        return GameStateStore.Instance?.Player.Statistics ?? new Dictionary<string, int>();
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -35,45 +23,40 @@ public partial class StatisticsManager : Node
     /// </summary>
     public void IncrementStat(string statName, int amount = 1)
     {
-        if (_stats.TryGetValue(statName, out var currentValue))
+        var stats = GetStats();
+        if (stats.TryGetValue(statName, out var currentValue))
         {
-            _stats[statName] = (int)currentValue + amount;
+            stats[statName] = currentValue + amount;
         }
         else
         {
-            _stats[statName] = amount;
+            stats[statName] = amount;
         }
-        GD.Print($"Stat '{statName}' updated to: {_stats[statName]}");
-        CheckAchievementsForStat(statName);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Sets a statistic to a specific value.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void SetStat(string statName, int value)
+    {
+        var stats = GetStats();
+        stats[statName] = value;
     }
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Gets the value of a statistic.
     /// </summary>
-    public Variant GetStat(string statName, Variant defaultValue = default)
+    public int GetStat(string statName)
     {
-        return _stats.TryGetValue(statName, out var value) ? value : defaultValue;
+        var stats = GetStats();
+        return stats.TryGetValue(statName, out var value) ? value : 0;
     }
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Checks if the updated stat meets the criteria for any achievements.
+    /// Gets a copy of all statistics.
     /// </summary>
-    private void CheckAchievementsForStat(string statName)
+    public Dictionary<string, int> GetAllStats()
     {
-        switch (statName)
-        {
-            case "enemies_defeated":
-                if ((int)GetStat(statName, 0) >= 100)
-                {
-                    _achievementManager.UnlockAchievement("slayer_100_enemies");
-                }
-                break;
-            case "jumps_made":
-                if ((int)GetStat(statName, 0) >= 1000)
-                {
-                    _achievementManager.UnlockAchievement("super_jumper");
-                }
-                break;
-        }
+        return new Dictionary<string, int>(GetStats());
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/project.godot b/project.godot
index 69c2537..61af395 100644
--- a/project.godot
+++ b/project.godot
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ config/icon="uid://jix7wdn0isr3"
 
 [autoload]
 
-GameManager="*res://objects/game_manager.tscn"
 PhantomCameraManager="*res://addons/phantom_camera/scripts/managers/phantom_camera_manager.gd"
 AudioController="*res://objects/audio_controller.tscn"
 UIManager="*res://Autoloads/UIManager.cs"
@@ -46,8 +45,12 @@ EventBus="*res://Autoloads/EventBus.cs"
 StatisticsManager="*res://Autoloads/StatisticsManager.cs"
 SpeedRunManager="res://Autoloads/SpeedRunManager.cs"
 GhostManager="res://objects/ghost_manager.tscn"
-ScoreEventHandler="*res://scripts/Events/ScoreEventHandler.cs"
 StatisticsEventHandler="*res://scripts/Events/StatisticsEventHandler.cs"
+CoinStateHandler="*res://scripts/Events/CoinStateHandler.cs"
+LevelStateHandler="*res://scripts/Events/LevelStateHandler.cs"
+LivesStateHandler="*res://scripts/Events/LivesStateHandler.cs"
+GameStateStore="*res://Autoloads/GameStateStore.cs"
+GameManager="*res://objects/game_manager.tscn"
 
 [debug]
 
diff --git a/scripts/Constants.cs b/scripts/Constants.cs
index a5b064b..b660e7b 100644
--- a/scripts/Constants.cs
+++ b/scripts/Constants.cs
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ public static class Constants
     // Autoload paths
     public const string EventBusPath = "/root/EventBus";
     public const string GameManagerPath = "/root/GameManager";
+    public const string GameStateStorePath = "/root/GameStateStore";
     public const string SaveSystemPath = "/root/SaveSystem";
     public const string SpeedRunManagerPath = "/root/SpeedRunManager";
     public const string GhostManagerPath = "/root/GhostManager";
diff --git a/scripts/Events/CoinStateHandler.cs b/scripts/Events/CoinStateHandler.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc6b9b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/Events/CoinStateHandler.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+using Godot;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
+
+namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Events;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Handles coin collection events and updates the GameStateStore.
+/// Replaces the manual coin logic in GameManager.
+/// </summary>
+public partial class CoinStateHandler : Node
+{
+    public override void _Ready()
+    {
+        EventBus.Instance.CoinCollected += OnCoinCollected;
+    }
+
+    public override void _ExitTree()
+    {
+        if (EventBus.Instance != null)
+        {
+            EventBus.Instance.CoinCollected -= OnCoinCollected;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void OnCoinCollected(int amount, Vector2 position)
+    {
+        GameStateStore.Instance?.AddSessionCoins(amount);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/scripts/Events/CoinStateHandler.cs.uid b/scripts/Events/CoinStateHandler.cs.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..550fa58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/Events/CoinStateHandler.cs.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://1qg3q53kkh0k
diff --git a/scripts/Events/LevelStateHandler.cs b/scripts/Events/LevelStateHandler.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5925e6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/Events/LevelStateHandler.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+using Godot;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
+
+namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Events;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Handles level completion events and updates GameStateStore.
+/// </summary>
+public partial class LevelStateHandler : Node
+{
+    public override void _Ready()
+    {
+        EventBus.Instance.LevelCompleted += OnLevelCompleted;
+    }
+
+    public override void _ExitTree()
+    {
+        if (EventBus.Instance != null)
+        {
+            EventBus.Instance.LevelCompleted -= OnLevelCompleted;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void OnLevelCompleted(int levelIndex, Node currentScene, double completionTime)
+    {
+        var store = GameStateStore.Instance;
+        if (store == null) return;
+
+        // Mark level complete and unlock next
+        store.MarkLevelComplete(levelIndex);
+
+        // Commit session data to persistent state
+        store.CommitSessionCoins();
+        store.CommitSessionSkills();
+
+        // Reset session for next level
+        store.ResetSession();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/scripts/Events/LevelStateHandler.cs.uid b/scripts/Events/LevelStateHandler.cs.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4cb8409
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/Events/LevelStateHandler.cs.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://gx5vn7viphv
diff --git a/scripts/Events/LivesStateHandler.cs b/scripts/Events/LivesStateHandler.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77179b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/Events/LivesStateHandler.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+using Godot;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
+
+namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Events;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Handles player death events and updates lives in GameStateStore.
+/// </summary>
+public partial class LivesStateHandler : Node
+{
+    public override void _Ready()
+    {
+        EventBus.Instance.PlayerDied += OnPlayerDied;
+    }
+
+    public override void _ExitTree()
+    {
+        if (EventBus.Instance != null)
+        {
+            EventBus.Instance.PlayerDied -= OnPlayerDied;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void OnPlayerDied(Vector2 position)
+    {
+        GameStateStore.Instance?.RemoveLife();
+        GameStateStore.Instance?.ResetSession();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/scripts/Events/LivesStateHandler.cs.uid b/scripts/Events/LivesStateHandler.cs.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ade5217
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/Events/LivesStateHandler.cs.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://b4ocg7g8vmtvp
diff --git a/scripts/Events/ScoreEventHandler.cs b/scripts/Events/ScoreEventHandler.cs
deleted file mode 100644
index 0bb7b43..0000000
--- a/scripts/Events/ScoreEventHandler.cs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,34 +0,0 @@
-using Godot;
-using Mr.BrickAdventures;
-using Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
-
-namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Events;
-
-/// <summary>
-/// Handles coin collection events and updates the session state.
-/// Replaces the manual signal wiring in ScoreComponent.
-/// </summary>
-public partial class ScoreEventHandler : Node
-{
-    private GameManager _gameManager;
-
-    public override void _Ready()
-    {
-        _gameManager = GetNode<GameManager>(Constants.GameManagerPath);
-
-        EventBus.Instance.CoinCollected += OnCoinCollected;
-    }
-
-    public override void _ExitTree()
-    {
-        if (EventBus.Instance != null)
-            EventBus.Instance.CoinCollected -= OnCoinCollected;
-    }
-
-    private void OnCoinCollected(int amount, Vector2 position)
-    {
-        var currentCoins = (int)_gameManager.CurrentSessionState["coins_collected"];
-        _gameManager.CurrentSessionState["coins_collected"] = currentCoins + amount;
-        GD.Print($"ScoreEventHandler: Collected {amount} coins. Total session coins: {currentCoins + amount}");
-    }
-}
diff --git a/scripts/Events/ScoreEventHandler.cs.uid b/scripts/Events/ScoreEventHandler.cs.uid
deleted file mode 100644
index c168916..0000000
--- a/scripts/Events/ScoreEventHandler.cs.uid
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-uid://cs4cfk7g5vh2v
diff --git a/scripts/State/PlayerState.cs b/scripts/State/PlayerState.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8388217
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/State/PlayerState.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Resources;
+
+namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.State;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Persistent player data that survives across sessions.
+/// This is a POCO (Plain Old C# Object) for predictable state management.
+/// </summary>
+public class PlayerState
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Saved coins (not including current session).
+    /// </summary>
+    public int Coins { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Remaining lives.
+    /// </summary>
+    public int Lives { get; set; } = 3;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Indices of completed levels.
+    /// </summary>
+    public List<int> CompletedLevels { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Indices of levels the player can access.
+    /// </summary>
+    public List<int> UnlockedLevels { get; set; } = new() { 0 };
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Skills the player has permanently unlocked.
+    /// </summary>
+    public List<SkillData> UnlockedSkills { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Statistics dictionary for tracking game stats.
+    /// </summary>
+    public Dictionary<string, int> Statistics { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// IDs of unlocked achievements.
+    /// </summary>
+    public List<string> UnlockedAchievements { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Creates a fresh default player state.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static PlayerState CreateDefault() => new()
+    {
+        Coins = 0,
+        Lives = 3,
+        CompletedLevels = new List<int>(),
+        UnlockedLevels = new List<int> { 0 },
+        UnlockedSkills = new List<SkillData>(),
+        Statistics = new Dictionary<string, int>()
+    };
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Resets this state to default values.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void Reset()
+    {
+        Coins = 0;
+        Lives = 3;
+        CompletedLevels.Clear();
+        UnlockedLevels.Clear();
+        UnlockedLevels.Add(0);
+        UnlockedSkills.Clear();
+        Statistics.Clear();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/scripts/State/PlayerState.cs.uid b/scripts/State/PlayerState.cs.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..348078b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/State/PlayerState.cs.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://gtr1e60jq7iv
diff --git a/scripts/State/SessionState.cs b/scripts/State/SessionState.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a9d3578
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/State/SessionState.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Resources;
+
+namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.State;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Data for the current gameplay session.
+/// Reset when player dies or completes a level.
+/// </summary>
+public class SessionState
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Current level index being played.
+    /// </summary>
+    public int CurrentLevel { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Coins collected during this session (not yet saved).
+    /// </summary>
+    public int CoinsCollected { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Skills unlocked during this session (not yet saved).
+    /// </summary>
+    public List<SkillData> SkillsUnlocked { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Creates a fresh session state.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static SessionState CreateDefault() => new()
+    {
+        CurrentLevel = 0,
+        CoinsCollected = 0,
+        SkillsUnlocked = new List<SkillData>()
+    };
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Resets session state to defaults.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void Reset()
+    {
+        CoinsCollected = 0;
+        SkillsUnlocked.Clear();
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Resets completely including level.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void ResetAll()
+    {
+        CurrentLevel = 0;
+        CoinsCollected = 0;
+        SkillsUnlocked.Clear();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/scripts/State/SessionState.cs.uid b/scripts/State/SessionState.cs.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b23b3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/State/SessionState.cs.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://chqsdleqrnl7b
diff --git a/scripts/components/ExitDoorComponent.cs b/scripts/components/ExitDoorComponent.cs
index fa816d6..602f53e 100644
--- a/scripts/components/ExitDoorComponent.cs
+++ b/scripts/components/ExitDoorComponent.cs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ using Godot;
 using Mr.BrickAdventures;
 using Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
 using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.interfaces;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.State;
 
 namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.components;
 
@@ -34,7 +35,9 @@ public partial class ExitDoorComponent : Area2D, IUnlockable
 
         EmitSignalExitTriggered();
         _achievementManager.UnlockAchievement(AchievementId);
-        _gameManager.UnlockLevel((int)_gameManager.PlayerState["current_level"] + 1);
+        // Get current level from GameStateStore
+        var currentLevel = GameStateStore.Instance?.Session.CurrentLevel ?? 0;
+        _gameManager.UnlockLevel(currentLevel + 1);
         CallDeferred(nameof(GoToNextLevel));
     }
 
diff --git a/scripts/components/SkillUnlockerComponent.cs b/scripts/components/SkillUnlockerComponent.cs
index 1b1dff4..956a513 100644
--- a/scripts/components/SkillUnlockerComponent.cs
+++ b/scripts/components/SkillUnlockerComponent.cs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ using Mr.BrickAdventures;
 using Mr.BrickAdventures.Autoloads;
 using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.interfaces;
 using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.Resources;
+using Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.State;
 
 namespace Mr.BrickAdventures.scripts.components;
 
@@ -38,8 +39,8 @@ public partial class SkillUnlockerComponent : Node
         skill.IsActive = true;
         _gameManager.RemoveCoins(skill.Upgrades[0].Cost);
 
-        var skillsUnlocked = (Array<SkillData>)_gameManager.CurrentSessionState["skills_unlocked"];
-        skillsUnlocked.Add(skill);
+        // Add to session state via GameStateStore
+        GameStateStore.Instance?.UnlockSkillInSession(skill);
         SkillManager.AddSkill(skill);
         EmitSignalSkillUnlocked(skill);