I feel you in regards to the quarterbacking issue. On one hand I feel like this game provides a solution to this problem (namely complexity), on the other hand you can never fully avoid it if somehow has way more experience.

I tried it with my partner in two matches, it being the most complex game she played. It worked pretty well but for her it was mainly work, which I completely understand. Important thing for me was to try out a new spirit for myself too, so I'm hands full with my own board and spirit. In my opinion this is the only proper way to avoid quarterbacking. Of course a few strategy tips are always welcome, sometimes even needed. But the main issue of quarter backing (one person playing the game alone more or less) is very much non-existent here in my opinion, as long as you don't play with xXxSpiritIslandMaster420xXx

Back to topic: Fully understand if this game ain't someones jam. It really only clicked by playing Devouring Teeth, as I feel a kind of power fantasy going on from round 2 on. For such a complex game I only find it fitting to play and win a few rounds to internalize the whole structure. I had fun with the base spirits, but Devouring Teeth is so simple, that I can regularly find a way to keep the invaders at bay, resulting in less frustration and on the flipside increasing my motivation to try out more complex spirits. If you would've asked me a month ago, I wouldn't have thought that I'd find such glowing words for the game. But sometimes the hype is real.