The fight doesn't actually start until you engage the enemy. Plenty of time to read the 4 skills you've been handed and apply the knowledge you've (in theory) gained through 70 levels of gameplay. In this particular instance Hien even outright asks for healing when he needs it so confusion over what needs to be done seems very diminished. It can't even be about lack of knowledge that you can target NPCs because everyone does that all the time.
My own two cents is, yeah, I don't find them enjoyable in the slightest. Mostly BECAUSE they are so braindead easy. It's just a chore that's not compelling at all. But as far as competency required goes I think the developers imagined "Well if they can install the game they should be able to handle this fight."
