We're not just hunters...We're monster hunters!
Monster Hunter 3 can be summed up as something of a "single-player MMO" in terms of gameplay. You hunt monsters (though most of them are more dinosaur than monster), gather resources, craft weapons and armor, and even spruce up your den. You do a lot of the standard MMO stuff, but you do it on your own (there is an online multiplayer mode, more on that in a second).
Though a major difference you're bound to notice between Monster Hunter 3 and the MMO genre is the lack of a leveling system. Your character (or characters, you are allowed to make four per game file) simply grows stronger by crafting or enhancing your weapons and armor. Some intense RPG fans may be dismayed by this, but truth be told I actually found the lack of leveling up to be refreshing, maybe even liberating. I felt a bit of freedom not havening to work to get my character maxed out (not that I have anything against a leveling system inherently, I just found the lack of one in Monster Hunter was very unique).
Gathering different resources and materials can be fun. And crafting (while sadly not very flashy) can be a worthwhile little treat. Fighting monsters can also be fun, provided you aren't going into battle in over your head. You have your faster attacks and your stronger ones, which are used by pressing different buttons on the Wii Classic Controller. The combat itself is easy enough to learn, though unfortunately it suffers a little from the lack of a targeting system. You can't lock-on to any monster in combat, so if you're in combat with multiple monsters, you may find things getting a little difficult. Especially when you encounter a boss monster who can summon other (sometimes smaller, sometimes equally if not more powerful) monsters to its aid. You may find it difficult to swing (or shoot, if you go the way of the crossbow) with precise accuracy without the ability to lock-on to targets. Have we learned nothing from Ocarina of Time's Z-targeting?
Though I must admit, it is still pretty fun to smack a raptor-like creature with a giant hammer.
But the whole single-player experience overall proves to be enjoyable, and it gets better as you progress through the game. You'll find there's more to do, more to see, new options open up the more you advance through your quest.
And things can really go crazy in the online multiplayer. I would imagine slaying dinosaurs would be even more adventurous with three friends by your side, and it is. The online mode provides a greater challenge but better rewards than the single-player mode (since you have three more people you can't expect to just rampage through the same single-player game). The online multiplayer proves to be amongst the most ambitious on the Wii, though forming a party can feel a little convoluted (you pick a server, then a hub zone, and can basically invite yourself to a group without having to actually interact with anyone else, though it is strongly advised that you do).
I also wish the game provided a more robust character creation system. You essentially choose your character's gender, face, voice (no actual spoken dialog), hair color and preferred weapon and you're off on your merry way. It's a small quibble since your character's appearance has no effect on the gameplay, but I just wish some games would branch out more with character customization as to make more unique characters.
I must say though, the game looks lovely. The environments of the game are varied and have their own ecosystems of dinosaurs monsters that give each zone their own identities.
I also might add that some of these monsters really seem to add a sense of life to the game. The more passive monsters occupy the environments with grace (and you should feel bad for smashing them with a hammer just to make a better hammer you fiend!), while the more aggressive monsters will have you on your toes. And most noteworthy are the boss monsters, who actually gave me something of a chill across my spine a couple of times (gathering materials while swimming underwater can be a fearful thing when the Lagiacrus in the distance can spot you at any moment).
I also add that the game has a good sense of humor. It openly laughs at the stereotypes and conventions of the RPG/adventure genres and pokes fun at itself for following some of these trends (the villagers will often jokingly note how much they ask your character to do because they won't go out and gather materials for themselves). This also freshens the game up. Most RPGs and adventure games tend to take themselves to seriously, it's nice to see one that enjoys laughing at itself.
If you're wondering if the motion-control functions of the Wii remote come in handy….not really. The only thing you'll do with the Wii remote is click on a monster (the first time you see a new species) and add it to your log. It's a fun little endeavor, though it can prove a little hectic when trying to log a boss monster.
As a whole, I think Monster Hunter Hunter Tri is a fun game that is worth the purchase. It has its flaws, but it proved to be memorable. It can get a little frustrating at times, though if you simply take the game in stride and go at your own pace you'll find it can be very fun, and it only grows into a deeper gaming experience the further you progress through the game.