diff --git a/public/Communication.js b/public/Communication.js
index 77baff8..3e6be1a 100644
--- a/public/Communication.js
+++ b/public/Communication.js
@@ -1,35 +1,65 @@
 "use strict"
 
-import WsClient from './WsClient.js'
+import { logger } from '../common/Util.js'
 import Protocol from './../common/Protocol.js'
 
-/** @type WsClient */
-let conn
+const log = logger('Communication.js')
+
+const CODE_GOING_AWAY = 1001
+const CODE_CUSTOM_DISCONNECT = 4000
+
+const CONN_STATE_NOT_CONNECTED = 0 // not connected yet
+const CONN_STATE_DISCONNECTED = 1 // not connected, but was connected before
+const CONN_STATE_CONNECTED = 2 // connected
+const CONN_STATE_CONNECTING = 3 // connecting
+const CONN_STATE_CLOSED = 4 // not connected (closed on purpose)
+
+/** @type WebSocket */
+let ws
 let changesCallback = () => {}
-let connectionLostCallback = () => {}
+let connectionStateChangeCallback = () => {}
 
 // TODO: change these to something like on(EVT, cb)
 function onServerChange(callback) {
   changesCallback = callback
 }
-function onConnectionLost(callback) {
-  connectionLostCallback = callback
+function onConnectionStateChange(callback) {
+  connectionStateChangeCallback = callback
 }
 
-function send(message) {
-  conn.send(JSON.stringify(message))
+let connectionState = CONN_STATE_NOT_CONNECTED
+const setConnectionState = (v) => {
+  if (connectionState !== v) {
+    connectionState = v
+    connectionStateChangeCallback(v)
+  }
 }
+function send(message) {
+  if (connectionState === CONN_STATE_CONNECTED) {
+    try {
+      ws.send(JSON.stringify(message))
+    } catch (e) {
+      log.info('unable to send message.. maybe because ws is invalid?')
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 
 let clientSeq
 let events
 function connect(address, gameId, clientId) {
   clientSeq = 0
   events = {}
-  conn = new WsClient(address, clientId + '|' + gameId)
+  setConnectionState(CONN_STATE_CONNECTING)
   return new Promise(resolve => {
-    conn.connect()
-    conn.onSocket('message', async ({ data }) => {
-      const msg = JSON.parse(data)
+    ws = new WebSocket(address, clientId + '|' + gameId)
+    ws.onopen = (e) => {
+      setConnectionState(CONN_STATE_CONNECTED)
+      connectionStateChangeCallback()
+      send([Protocol.EV_CLIENT_INIT])
+    }
+    ws.onmessage = (e) => {
+      const msg = JSON.parse(e.data)
       const msgType = msg[0]
       if (msgType === Protocol.EV_SERVER_INIT) {
         const game = msg[1]
@@ -46,22 +76,36 @@ function connect(address, gameId, clientId) {
       } else {
         throw `[ 2021-05-09 invalid connect msgType ${msgType} ]`
       }
-    })
-    conn.onclose(() => {
-      connectionLostCallback()
-    })
-    send([Protocol.EV_CLIENT_INIT])
+    }
+
+    ws.onerror = (e) => {
+      setConnectionState(CONN_STATE_DISCONNECTED)
+      throw `[ 2021-05-15 onerror ]`
+    }
+
+    ws.onclose = (e) => {
+      if (e.code === CODE_CUSTOM_DISCONNECT || e.code === CODE_GOING_AWAY) {
+        setConnectionState(CONN_STATE_CLOSED)
+      } else {
+        setConnectionState(CONN_STATE_DISCONNECTED)
+      }
+    }
   })
 }
 
+// TOOD: change replay stuff
 function connectReplay(address, gameId, clientId) {
   clientSeq = 0
   events = {}
-  conn = new WsClient(address, clientId + '|' + gameId)
+  setConnectionState(CONN_STATE_CONNECTING)
   return new Promise(resolve => {
-    conn.connect()
-    conn.onSocket('message', async ({ data }) => {
-      const msg = JSON.parse(data)
+    ws = new WebSocket(address, clientId + '|' + gameId)
+    ws.onopen = (e) => {
+      setConnectionState(CONN_STATE_CONNECTED)
+      send([Protocol.EV_CLIENT_INIT_REPLAY])
+    }
+    ws.onmessage = (e) => {
+      const msg = JSON.parse(e.data)
       const msgType = msg[0]
       if (msgType === Protocol.EV_SERVER_INIT_REPLAY) {
         const game = msg[1]
@@ -70,14 +114,26 @@ function connectReplay(address, gameId, clientId) {
       } else {
         throw `[ 2021-05-09 invalid connectReplay msgType ${msgType} ]`
       }
-    })
-    send([Protocol.EV_CLIENT_INIT_REPLAY])
+    }
+
+    ws.onerror = (e) => {
+      setConnectionState(CONN_STATE_DISCONNECTED)
+      throw `[ 2021-05-15 onerror ]`
+    }
+
+    ws.onclose = (e) => {
+      if (e.code === CODE_CUSTOM_DISCONNECT || e.code === CODE_GOING_AWAY) {
+        setConnectionState(CONN_STATE_CLOSED)
+      } else {
+        setConnectionState(CONN_STATE_DISCONNECTED)
+      }
+    }
   })
 }
 
 function disconnect() {
-  if (conn) {
-    conn.disconnect()
+  if (ws) {
+    ws.close(CODE_CUSTOM_DISCONNECT)
   }
   clientSeq = 0
   events = {}
@@ -97,5 +153,12 @@ export default {
   disconnect,
   sendClientEvent,
   onServerChange,
-  onConnectionLost,
+  onConnectionStateChange,
+  CODE_CUSTOM_DISCONNECT,
+
+  CONN_STATE_NOT_CONNECTED,
+  CONN_STATE_DISCONNECTED,
+  CONN_STATE_CLOSED,
+  CONN_STATE_CONNECTED,
+  CONN_STATE_CONNECTING,
 }
diff --git a/public/WsClient.js b/public/WsClient.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 6db8c13..0000000
--- a/public/WsClient.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,131 +0,0 @@
-"use strict"
-
-import Time from '../common/Time.js'
-
-const CODE_CUSTOM_DISCONNECT = 4000
-
-/**
- * Wrapper around ws that
- * - buffers 'send' until a connection is available
- * - automatically tries to reconnect on close
- */
-export default class WsClient {
-  // actual ws handle
-  handle = null
-
-  // timeout for automatic reconnect
-  reconnectTimeout = null
-
-  // buffer for 'send'
-  sendBuffer = []
-
-  constructor(addr, protocols) {
-    this.addr = addr
-    this.protocols = protocols
-
-    this.onopen = () => {}
-    this.onclose = () => {}
-    this.onmessage = () => {}
-
-    this._on = {}
-    this.onopen = (e) => {
-      this._dispatch('socket', 'open', e)
-    }
-    this.onmessage = (e) => {
-      this._dispatch('socket', 'message', e)
-      if (!!this._on['message']) {
-        const d = this._parseMessageData(e.data)
-        if (d.event) {
-          this._dispatch('message', d.event, d.data)
-        }
-      }
-    }
-    this.onclose = (e) => {
-      this._dispatch('socket', 'close', e)
-    }
-  }
-
-  send (txt) {
-    if (this.handle) {
-      this.handle.send(txt)
-    } else {
-      this.sendBuffer.push(txt)
-    }
-  }
-
-  connect() {
-    let ws = new WebSocket(this.addr, this.protocols)
-    ws.onopen = (e) => {
-      if (this.reconnectTimeout) {
-        clearTimeout(this.reconnectTimeout)
-      }
-      this.handle = ws
-      // should have a queue worker
-      while (this.sendBuffer.length > 0) {
-        this.handle.send(this.sendBuffer.shift())
-      }
-      this.onopen(e)
-    }
-    ws.onmessage = (e) => {
-      this.onmessage(e)
-    }
-    ws.onerror = (e) => {
-      this.handle = null
-      this.reconnectTimeout = setTimeout(() => { this.connect() }, 1 * Time.SEC)
-      this.onclose(e)
-    }
-    ws.onclose = (e) => {
-      this.handle = null
-      if (e.code !== CODE_CUSTOM_DISCONNECT) {
-        this.reconnectTimeout = setTimeout(() => { this.connect() }, 1 * Time.SEC)
-      }
-      this.onclose(e)
-    }
-  }
-
-  disconnect() {
-    if (this.handle) {
-      this.handle.close(CODE_CUSTOM_DISCONNECT)
-    }
-  }
-
-  onSocket(tag, callback) {
-    this.addEventListener('socket', tag, callback)
-  }
-
-  onMessage(tag, callback) {
-    this.addEventListener('message', tag, callback)
-  }
-
-  addEventListener(type, tag, callback) {
-    const tags = Array.isArray(tag) ? tag : [tag]
-    this._on[type] = this._on[type] || {}
-    for (const t of tags) {
-      this._on[type][t] = this._on[type][t] || []
-      this._on[type][t].push(callback)
-    }
-  }
-
-  _parseMessageData(data) {
-    try {
-      const d = JSON.parse(data)
-      if (d.event) {
-        return {event: d.event, data: d.data || null}
-      }
-    } catch {
-    }
-    return {event: null, data: null}
-  }
-
-  _dispatch(type, tag, ...args) {
-    const t = this._on[type] || {}
-    const callbacks = (t[tag] || [])
-    if (callbacks.length === 0) {
-      return
-    }
-
-    for (const callback of callbacks) {
-      callback(...args)
-    }
-  }
-}
diff --git a/public/components/ConnectionOverlay.vue.js b/public/components/ConnectionOverlay.vue.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91ecb82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/public/components/ConnectionOverlay.vue.js
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+"use strict"
+
+import Communication from './../Communication.js'
+
+export default {
+  name: 'connection-overlay',
+  template: `
+  <div class="overlay connection-lost" v-if="show">
+    <div class="overlay-content" v-if="lostConnection">
+      <div>⁉️ LOST CONNECTION ⁉️</div>
+      <span class="btn" @click="$emit('reconnect')">Reconnect</span>
+    </div>
+    <div class="overlay-content" v-if="connectionState === 3">
+      <div>Connecting...</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>`,
+  emits: {
+    reconnect: null,
+  },
+  props: {
+    connectionState: Number,
+  },
+  computed: {
+    lostConnection () {
+      return this.connectionState === Communication.CONN_STATE_DISCONNECTED
+    },
+    connecting () {
+      return this.connectionState === Communication.CONN_STATE_CONNECTING
+    },
+    show () {
+      return this.lostConnection || this.connecting
+    },
+  }
+}
diff --git a/public/components/HelpOverlay.vue.js b/public/components/HelpOverlay.vue.js
index 79f77f2..b8c5966 100644
--- a/public/components/HelpOverlay.vue.js
+++ b/public/components/HelpOverlay.vue.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 export default {
   name: 'help-overlay',
   template: `<div class="overlay transparent" @click="$emit('bgclick')">
-    <table class="help" @click.stop="">
+    <table class="overlay-content help" @click.stop="">
       <tr><td>⬆️ Move up:</td><td><div><kbd>W</kbd>/<kbd>↑</kbd>/🖱️</div></td></tr>
       <tr><td>⬇️ Move down:</td><td><div><kbd>S</kbd>/<kbd>↓</kbd>/🖱️</div></td></tr>
       <tr><td>⬅️ Move left:</td><td><div><kbd>A</kbd>/<kbd>←</kbd>/🖱️</div></td></tr>
diff --git a/public/components/SettingsOverlay.vue.js b/public/components/SettingsOverlay.vue.js
index 1cf8962..92e6662 100644
--- a/public/components/SettingsOverlay.vue.js
+++ b/public/components/SettingsOverlay.vue.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ export default {
   name: 'settings-overlay',
   template: `
     <div class="overlay transparent" @click="$emit('bgclick')">
-      <table class="settings" @click.stop="">
+      <table class="overlay-content settings" @click.stop="">
         <tr>
           <td><label>Background: </label></td>
           <td><input type="color" v-model="modelValue.background" /></td>
diff --git a/public/game.js b/public/game.js
index c25c54d..a4b4731 100644
--- a/public/game.js
+++ b/public/game.js
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import fireworksController from './Fireworks.js'
 import Protocol from '../common/Protocol.js'
 import Time from '../common/Time.js'
 
-const log = logger('game.js')
+// const log = logger('game.js')
 
 export const MODE_PLAY = 'play'
 export const MODE_REPLAY = 'replay'
@@ -174,7 +174,14 @@ function EventAdapter (canvas, window, viewport) {
   }
 }
 
-export async function main(gameId, clientId, wsAddress, MODE, TARGET_EL, HUD) {
+export async function main(
+  gameId,
+  clientId,
+  wsAddress,
+  MODE,
+  TARGET_EL,
+  HUD
+) {
   if (typeof DEBUG === 'undefined') window.DEBUG = false
 
   const shouldDrawPlayerText = (player) => {
@@ -219,30 +226,37 @@ export async function main(gameId, clientId, wsAddress, MODE, TARGET_EL, HUD) {
     gameStartTs: null,
   }
 
-
-  Communication.onConnectionLost(() => {
-    log('connection lost ... should reload / hit reconnect button / etc.')
+  Communication.onConnectionStateChange((state) => {
+    HUD.setConnectionState(state)
   })
 
   let TIME
-  if (MODE === MODE_PLAY) {
-    const game = await Communication.connect(wsAddress, gameId, clientId)
-    const gameObject = Util.decodeGame(game)
-    Game.setGame(gameObject.id, gameObject)
-    TIME = () => Time.timestamp()
-  } else if (MODE === MODE_REPLAY) {
-    const {game, log} = await Communication.connectReplay(wsAddress, gameId, clientId)
-    const gameObject = Util.decodeGame(game)
-    Game.setGame(gameObject.id, gameObject)
-    REPLAY.log = log
-    REPLAY.lastRealTs = Time.timestamp()
-    REPLAY.gameStartTs = REPLAY.log[0][REPLAY.log[0].length - 2]
-    REPLAY.lastGameTs = REPLAY.gameStartTs
-    TIME = () => REPLAY.lastGameTs
-  } else {
-    throw '[ 2020-12-22 MODE invalid, must be play|replay ]'
+  const connect = async () => {
+    if (MODE === MODE_PLAY) {
+      const game = await Communication.connect(wsAddress, gameId, clientId)
+      const gameObject = Util.decodeGame(game)
+      Game.setGame(gameObject.id, gameObject)
+      TIME = () => Time.timestamp()
+    } else if (MODE === MODE_REPLAY) {
+      // TODO: change how replay connect is done...
+      const {game, log} = await Communication.connectReplay(wsAddress, gameId, clientId)
+      const gameObject = Util.decodeGame(game)
+      Game.setGame(gameObject.id, gameObject)
+      REPLAY.log = log
+      REPLAY.lastRealTs = Time.timestamp()
+      REPLAY.gameStartTs = REPLAY.log[0][REPLAY.log[0].length - 2]
+      REPLAY.lastGameTs = REPLAY.gameStartTs
+      TIME = () => REPLAY.lastGameTs
+    } else {
+      throw '[ 2020-12-22 MODE invalid, must be play|replay ]'
+    }
+
+    // rerender after (re-)connect
+    RERENDER = true
   }
 
+  await connect()
+
   const TILE_DRAW_OFFSET = Game.getTileDrawOffset(gameId)
   const TILE_DRAW_SIZE = Game.getTileDrawSize(gameId)
   const PUZZLE_WIDTH = Game.getPuzzleWidth(gameId)
@@ -653,5 +667,6 @@ export async function main(gameId, clientId, wsAddress, MODE, TARGET_EL, HUD) {
       name: playerName(),
     },
     disconnect: Communication.disconnect,
+    connect: connect,
   }
 }
diff --git a/public/style.css b/public/style.css
index 294e4a6..23695a9 100644
--- a/public/style.css
+++ b/public/style.css
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ input:focus {
   background: transparent;
 }
 
-.help {
+.overlay-content {
   position: absolute;
   left: 50%;
   top: 50%;
@@ -145,16 +145,9 @@ input:focus {
   z-index: 1;
 }
 
-.settings {
-  position: absolute;
-  left: 50%;
-  top: 50%;
-  transform: translate(-50%,-50%);
-  background: var(--bg-color);
-  padding: 5px;
-  border: solid 1px black;
-  box-shadow: 0 0 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.7);
-  z-index: 1;
+.connection-lost .overlay-content {
+  padding: 20px;
+  text-align: center;
 }
 
 .preview {
diff --git a/public/views/Game.vue.js b/public/views/Game.vue.js
index 5aeaca5..8185b66 100644
--- a/public/views/Game.vue.js
+++ b/public/views/Game.vue.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import Scores from './../components/Scores.vue.js'
 import PuzzleStatus from './../components/PuzzleStatus.vue.js'
 import SettingsOverlay from './../components/SettingsOverlay.vue.js'
 import PreviewOverlay from './../components/PreviewOverlay.vue.js'
+import ConnectionOverlay from './../components/ConnectionOverlay.vue.js'
 import HelpOverlay from './../components/HelpOverlay.vue.js'
 
 import { main, MODE_PLAY } from './../game.js'
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ export default {
     Scores,
     SettingsOverlay,
     PreviewOverlay,
+    ConnectionOverlay,
     HelpOverlay,
   },
   template: `<div id="game">
@@ -22,6 +24,11 @@ export default {
     <preview-overlay v-show="overlay === 'preview'" @bgclick="toggle('preview', false)" :img="g.previewImageUrl" />
     <help-overlay v-show="overlay === 'help'" @bgclick="toggle('help', true)" />
 
+    <connection-overlay
+      :connectionState="connectionState"
+      @reconnect="reconnect"
+      />
+
     <puzzle-status
       :finished="finished"
       :duration="duration"
@@ -52,6 +59,8 @@ export default {
 
       overlay: null,
 
+      connectionState: 0,
+
       g: {
         player: {
           background: '',
@@ -64,6 +73,7 @@ export default {
         onColorChange: () => {},
         onNameChange: () => {},
         disconnect: () => {},
+        connect: () => {},
       },
     }
   },
@@ -93,6 +103,7 @@ export default {
         setDuration: (v) => { this.duration = v },
         setPiecesDone: (v) => { this.piecesDone = v },
         setPiecesTotal: (v) => { this.piecesTotal = v },
+        setConnectionState: (v) => { this.connectionState = v },
         togglePreview: () => { this.toggle('preview', false) },
       }
     )
@@ -101,6 +112,9 @@ export default {
     this.g.disconnect()
   },
   methods: {
+    reconnect() {
+      this.g.connect()
+    },
     toggle(overlay, affectsHotkeys) {
       if (this.overlay === null) {
         this.overlay = overlay