diff --git a/packages/web/src/prefs.svelte.ts b/packages/web/src/prefs.svelte.ts
index 0058c58..dab42e3 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/prefs.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/prefs.svelte.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ const KEY = "wizwar-prefs";
 function load(): Prefs {
   const fallback: Prefs = {
     art: "photo", autoGrab: false, flourishes: true, wizardName: "", color: null,
-    cautions: true, botTier: "adept", instantReplay: false,
+    cautions: true, botTier: "adept", instantReplay: true,
   };
   try {
     const raw = localStorage.getItem(KEY);
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ function load(): Prefs {
       color: typeof p.color === "number" && p.color >= 0 && p.color <= 5 ? p.color : null,
       cautions: p.cautions !== false,
       botTier: p.botTier === "apprentice" || p.botTier === "archmage" ? p.botTier : "adept",
-      instantReplay: p.instantReplay === true,
+      instantReplay: p.instantReplay !== false,
     };
   } catch {
     return fallback;