>>722907520 (OP)
Looks like we're actually getting some good responses. I'll chip in. It's hard to really consider modern MH and OG MH in the same categories anymore. Early MH required a lot more prep. Much more time was spent outside of the hunt gathering materials you needed, bot just for gear, but for basic items you'd need. There was a deliberateness to everything. Everything was much slower and weightier. These were the years before Dark Souls blew up. MH was the first game I ever played where the big fuck-off sword actually felt like a big fuck-off sword. Now Great Swords can do mid-air flips and insta-counters.
I still enjoy the gameplay of the modern titles, it's just that they definitely do fit the "engaging dopamine grind" you mentioned. OG MH really emphasized all the out of hunt stuff, crafting gear, tending to your farm, picking the right meals, being efficient with your gathering. You can see it in the opening cinematic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I5n2dP_FRA
The actual hunt is only a small portion of the hunting experience. If you wanna get into the series, I suggest trying the older titles first because it's hard to go back to slowly gathering and forging pickaxes after it's all infinitely given to you in newer titles.
