Opening a 6 year time capsule: 600 hrs in MH4U.
I recently revived my old MH4U save, which I thankfully dumped from my soon-to-be-dead 3DS. [RIP to my 3U and Gen saves] It took a bit of work, but I managed to get it working properly on Azahar, and now I can finally put the finishing touches on this playthrough.
This is far from a long playtime for this game. 3 digit hours is cute compared to some, but these were the best 600 hours I ever spent in Monster Hunter. In fact, it may be the highest playtime I have across the series, and I have a chance to increase it.
Loading into Dundorma, I was reminded exactly why I loved this game so much. The lively music, the vibrant visuals. Hopping between the villages, I found myself getting immersed in the world again. I was meeting an old friend, and picking up right where we left off. The MH team did so much right with this game. The weapon and armor designs were so damn good. Loading into a quest, I felt the old neurons firing again.
IG and CB were so much fun. Admittedly, they were notoriously broken, but they were so satisfying. IG is still one of my most favorite weapons.
I think my 4U playthrough is the one I'm most proud of. The game was incredibly difficult towards the end. G-rank Elder Dragons legitimately gave me PTSD, and even now seeing all the equipment that need Large ED Gems gave me a familiar sinking feeling. I tried fighting the Elder Hall G3* Akantor and Fatalis, both handed my ass to me. I neer really spent a lot of time on Guild Quests, so maybe this is my chance to sink my teeth into some Lv140s (Haha, im not looking forward to that at all.)
Gore Magala was one of the stingiest bastards out there. It's no surpise that I hunted him more than Great Jaggi even. Plates, Nyctgems, Mantles and Contrary Scales, he wouldnt part with them easily. It didnt help that I had to trade Gore parts for Ceadeus materials at the Wyporium. [I still find it funny just how damn good the Helios set is in 4U, the 3U G-rank uniform is jsut too stronk]. It helps that Gore is such a good fight in this game. Its fair, but can catch you off guard if you are sloppy.
I remember how much time it took me to sort my equipment box. I hated the standard layout. it made no sense. It's kinda ridiculous in hindsight, how much time I spent on that. I sorted first by rarity, then by attack (for weapons) and defence (for armor) and broke ties how I saw fit.
In my current game state, I have one more village quest to complete, The Master's Test, and I am not looking forward to it. Apex Diablos is a pain that I don't want to deal with. I have seen so many guides (Shout out AkantoreX, and MIsterTheX), but I am nowhere near as precise with my positioning as them. Its crazy how well they stunlock each monster. Taking down diablos before she burrows even once is something I can't picture myself doing.
In the elder hall, I have bigger problems LOL. Without multiplayer (actually if anyone knows how to MP on emulator, hit me up) I don't think I am going to be able to solo the remaining quests. Apex Rajang just sounds like CBT.
Outside of these quests, I'm very close to being done with the guild card. Its mostly collecting Gold Crowns, and doing the Arena quests (easier said than done). But I can take my sweet time with it.
Even now, I believe wholeheartedly that MH4U is the best MH game ever made, not just for Old Gen, but overall. It offers a genuinely unique experience unrivalled by any other entry in the series. It still plays extremely well, if lacking in the QOL that would come in the next instalment. The team really managed to polish the hell out of this game and left barely a rough edge. I can't sing its praises enough.