I'm currently playing this game on the PSP. While definitely not the best monster hunter out there, I feel that this game is at least worth giving a shot for any monster hunter fan out there. This game (and it's PS2 counterparts) are what built monster hunter as we know it today.
This is a Monster Hunter game that brings way more of an emphasis on gathering, preparing and actually living in the world, instead of just going to one monster after another mindlessly. Having to worry about your limited storage, money and items really shape a unique story and gameplay experience for everyone trying it out.
If you are looking for a slow burning game, that makes you sit down and plan out your strategy for each monster, as well as figure out your resources and how to make use of them for hours at a time, preparing yourself for the next big monster you must take down to proceed, I highly recommend it to those who are patient, and I wish that we can see this amazing piece of history in the monster hunter franchise be slightly modernized and easily-accessible.