For a menu, you can bring one up at any time. In my 2D game, of which probably has the most expansive menu system ever made in Gamestudio, the menu is called from pressing the M key. I then just make use of variables and if statements to control how the menus run and work. I just got done fixing a bug related to the menus. Yep, even my 2D game has a save/load system, but with tons of save options where you can almost pick and choose what you want to save, even abstract things. To use it, all you need to do is use the up and down arrow keys to highlight an option and press enter to select it. Some options require input, mainly just numbers.





These two screenshots show you how my menu system is designed. You can see where you are located in the menu system, the various options, which have submenus, the current state of each option, if possible, an easily-distinguishable highlight, even a help area to explain the meaning of a particular menu item. Of course, a menu system wouldn't be as vast and complex as this, but it gives you an idea.