Okay, this game has it's warts, but I'm totally starting to fall in love with it. Here was a cool, but slightly spoilery, game moment:
I was completely taken by surprise during the Monster Guts mission. I've been trying to grind a little bit to get more equipment for the first mission that I'm guess might be a sort of boss encounter. So, I've been doing the missions a little out of order. I took the mission, thinking that it would be pretty easy, since the targets are herbivores. I took the map and saw a green icon on it in one of the areas. So, I go there to find the herbivores, but it turns out the icon was representing the Lagiacrus instead. Of course, this encounter was pretty much scripted. You sort of have to work your way around the monster to get to the herbivores.
Since this is my first Monster Hunter game, I'm still kind of working out the game's rules in my head about boss behavior.
I won't describe too much about it so that I won't ruin anyone else's experience, but since I'm so underpowered at this time, it was kind of intimidating. Trying to hide and run away from the Lagiacrus provided a few heart-pounding moments. It sounds kind of silly, but it's been a while since a game has elicited that kind of response from me. Not a "scared" moment, but my adrenaline was definitely pumping.
After I had gotten the required materials, I was foolish enough to try to get the Lagiacrus in my Monster Hunter's book. I was standing on the shore waiting for a moment where he wasn't on alert to hop back into the water. I guess he noticed me because he leaped onto the shore (which I didn't know he could do!) and proceeded to beat me senseless. I barely managed to escape!
I do have a question, though. I've noticed that a lot of the weapons seem to have metal version and a bone version... Is there any significant difference in purchasing one over the other...like what sort of you have to use to upgrade them? Is it recommended that you get both types?