The story in MH3 is pretty much you go to a fishing village and you hunt monsters.  Not really anything too interesting.  Also I feel that MH4's climbing an aerial combat is MUCH better than MH3s water combat, and there are quite a few of monsters that fight underwater plus, you don't get the two weapons new to Monster Hunter, the charge blade and the insect glaive.  It's not a huge step back but still a step back.  It is nice to get to play on a larger screen though.

Just beat Nerscylla; very fun fight, probably my fav new monster so far. (Really enjoyed Kecha Wacha too)

There are slightly less weapon classes, and less of a story, but I'd argue 3 actually has slightly more memorable monsters and environments. If you enjoyed 4, I doubt you'll be disappointed in 3.

Tbh this was my first MH so its kinda like I got 14 new weapons lol.  I heard the controls for the underwater sections are pretty bad that's keeping me a little hesitant.  

Wow, it took 16 hours into the game for me to learn that the charge blade can put the phials into the shield to deal extra damage in axe mode. I guess you learn something new everyday.

I just had my first death in single player and it was a freaking Congalala...I hate that stupid gorilla.

I found the underwater controls surprisingly decent, never had any problems.

He gave me my one and only death too!  I couldn't drink my potion and I didn't know what was going on, by the time I realized I had to use my deodorant it was too late.

I think I'll pick it up after I beat MH4U, its only $20 on amazon so even if I'm disapointed its not like I wasted a lot of money.

Just killed the tigrex god he was tough as balls lol

Just hit HR4 online Wooo!!!
Time to farm some better equipment