diff --git a/src/scenes/StoryScene.js b/src/scenes/StoryScene.js
index 5247ebca9..16a6bf76e 100644
--- a/src/scenes/StoryScene.js
+++ b/src/scenes/StoryScene.js
@@ -144,15 +144,32 @@ class StoryScene extends Phaser.Scene {
 
     playNoirMusic() {
         // Play forest evening ambience (noir atmosphere)
-        if (this.sound.get('forest_ambient')) {
-            const music = this.sound.add('forest_ambient', {
-                volume: 0.3,
-                loop: true
-            });
-            music.play();
-            console.log('🎵 Noir atmosphere music playing at 30% volume');
-        } else {
-            console.warn('⚠️ forest_ambient music not loaded - add to preload()');
+        try {
+            if (this.sound.get('forest_ambient')) {
+                const music = this.sound.add('forest_ambient', {
+                    volume: 0.3,
+                    loop: true
+                });
+                music.play();
+                console.log('🎵 Noir atmosphere music playing at 30% volume');
+            } else {
+                console.warn('⚠️ forest_ambient not loaded yet - trying alternative');
+                // Try to load and play immediately
+                this.load.audio('forest_ambient', 'assets/audio/music/forest_ambient.mp3');
+                this.load.once('complete', () => {
+                    try {
+                        const music = this.sound.add('forest_ambient', { volume: 0.3, loop: true });
+                        music.play();
+                        console.log('🎵 Loaded and playing forest_ambient');
+                    } catch (e) {
+                        console.error('❌ Failed to play music:', e.message);
+                    }
+                });
+                this.load.start();
+            }
+        } catch (error) {
+            console.error('❌ Audio error (non-critical):', error.message);
+            console.log('✅ Game continues without music');
         }
     }