there are so many people loving this game, but every so often I see a grinding comment and the videos sure do not seem appealing to me.
(heck just watched the great baggi that... looks like a random WoW elite monster. The thing is I don't see the monsters as particularly interesting or challenging... maybe it's just the videos though, but if it's only because the monster 2 shots you, than that's a cheap way of making a game harder...)

I am about 25 hours in now, and I am finding this is one of the best games I have played in the past 5 years. There may be 5 areas, but they are bigger and FAR more interesting than those in Twilight Princess which I found fairly bland. The game kind of reminds me of Rune Factory Frontier which is another one of my favourites.

As for monsters taking 30 minutes, usually this only happens to me the first time I hunt a big monster. Afterwards, I know how to take them down and have better equipment; then it is much faster. IE. My first Great Jaggi battle seemed to take 25-30 minutes; the next time I went out free hunting, I was able to take down two of them in about 10 minutes.

This is also the first game since Starcraft which has really got me interested in online play (I tried numerous titles, including WoW, Halo, Civilization 4, lots of browser games, free online RPGs, Metroid Prime Hunters, etc....) this one I am actually finding to be very well done and lots of fun. I like not worrying about being on a constant schedule as well (I already have a job which does that to me).

one of the best games on the Wii ...

if you're not into Online MMO type grinding then everything you said is fine.

For everyone else that get tired of playing game that are 5~10 hours long * cought* ,madworld,RE series etc*cough* then you have no problem, this game was stated that you really start the game 100 hours+ , before that is pretty much the tutorial to get you prep for some real bad ass mobs.

Mob variations, not that much, and considering the game is based on Mob hunting unlike LOZ where it's to collect specialized items there is much more mobs for your money.

i'm 75 hours into it and I couldn't get into the PSP versions ( camera issues) but this is the way to go for me.

I work M-F and have a fulltime gf, so i'm amazed I have 75 hours, online with Skype is the way to go, in those inetense moments we don't have time to type HEAL ME!!! Critical info such as my friends flute is broken helps, or gunner ran out of heal shots.

As someone said the game really picks up but your achievement on here isn't exp wise but gear wise. your gear represent your lv sort of. Go out there and kill shyt and make me proud : )

seriously, I've played the hell out of PSO on DC, GCN, total hours on most toons 4000+ hours, had one with 8000 hours but.. card got corrupted >_

100 hours of tutorial? I'm sold!

That's exactly why I keep playing.  Taking down the moster is ok but not the best part for me.  I like taking down monsters so I can carve them and get some more gear!  I have 7 equipment sets too and I want to put a bunch more together.  I love switching outfits based on which monster I'm fighting and taking their elemental attacks into consideration.  Loads of fun!

I'm 50 hours in too.  Still lovin' this game!

I got over 100 hundreds hours.

I got Barioth and Lagiacrus full armor, I also can buy Rathlos as well,but, not sure if I should. I trying to get a new elemental weapon too.

No armor upgrades huh, thats totally possible for blade masters V_V, that's also a sign that your very good at knowing when to evade or just pack it up and run or maybe you just always have lots of mega potions and honey with potions.

Rol, I've been playing Tri for a while, I'm at HR '4?' Forty something, though I'm a gunner it's fun to me to be the only gunner in the game, I've only seen maybe 4 other gunners at the upper HR's.

But Rol, there's quite a bit of content, I believe your just grinding a lot.

The games problem is that it gives you everything at once to do, so it's easy to miss out.

Also let me know how your Boraith fight goes XD.

Exactly! Let's play together again friend!

XD

You should try it first. Just don't try the demo.