One of the best console MMORPGs for the PS2.
Hunting big monsters and then acquiring their parts to create your weapons and armor, this is where the monster hunter series truly started from. I recall clocking in over 487 hours and 40 minutes in this game, that is the combined time playing single player and online as well. I completed ALL armor sets for blademaster, from the paltry looking 'prey armor sets to even Fatalis' armor, this game had me hooked during my first year in college. I collected ALL armor parts in this game, albeit with the lack of 3, a gravios wing, an extra eye of fatalis (since I used one eye for the dragon helm), and I believe a rathian plate.
This game was, and it's successors, very addicting. Although, looking back, the series has gone very far now. Newer monsters, armors, weapons and locales have given the monster hunter series a better standing point in the gaming world with it's name.
It's a hard game, and sadly, the online multiplayer is gone, and newer players who do get the chance to buy this game will know how it is to 'play' the very first monster hunter. By no chance is this game easy, it was HARD. From the very first kut ku, to slaying a rathalos (with the latter, I recall taking me over 6 times before I slew it), it gave a sense of accomplishment just killing the monster and then acquiring their parts for your gear.
Again, shame that many current monster hunter fans will not get to play online, but if you do get a copy of this ps2 gem, which started the entire series, you will not be disappointed. I remember when I got online the very first time (hunter rank is up to 20), a high ranked hunter who probably was rank 7 or 8, asked me 'isual, how come you have high level gear at your level?', I was level 1, and I responded that I had finished the single player game, and extensively collected the best gear you could possibly get in single player mode. It felt good really, knowing you slew Monoblos, who at that time was single player exclusive, and it was a testament that you, as a monster hunter could slay the strongest monster in single player by yourself.
In conclusion, this game is where it started it all, and monster hunter will be one of my favourite game series of all time. I do hope that by the time of this review, which is several years really late, monster hunter portable 3 will come stateside this year in 2011, and more monster hunter games will arrive in the future. Game on fellow hunters, both veterans and rookies alike!