There is a very simple explanation of what this game IS, and what this game is NOT.
What Monster Hunter Freedom is NOT:
1. A Role-Playing Game (atleast in the classic sense)
2. MMO. It was designed with single-player in mind.
3. Action-Adventure (There is no plot in this game. For good reason.)
4. This game will not tell you 'what to do next'. Hence, "Freedom"
5. This game does not have a real 'ending'. (Thank God.)
6. This game does NOT beleive in 'hand-outs'. If you dont work for it, you dont get it. Only the truly skillful and those who work really hard succeed in this game.
Just like in real life.
What Monster Hunter Freedom is:
A HUNTING SIMULATION. Period.
If Capcom would have marketed the game as such, ALOT of professional reviewers, hardcore gamers, and fans of hunting and the like would have immediately known how to classify this game. This game's only "problem" was it's confusion in the way it was marketed.
The game is about HUNTING dragons. And, they tried to make it as "real" as possible. This is why the game feels "hard".
Also, it would explain why there is no castle, no princess, no instant level-ups, no saving anywhere, and no inventory chest of 1000 items. Because, in real life, you wouldnt have any of that stuff anyway. It is you and a weapon. And, whatever you are either smart enough or dumb enough to carry with you on a realistic hunting trip with dragons and other creatures that are ready to stomp you to death.
If this game could be 'compared' to any other game that is on the market right now, it would be, Animal Crossing.
Only in MHF instead of befriending the animals, you kill them, eat them, and skin their carcasses for new clothing and/or weapons. And, there is no dog singing in a lounge on saturday nights at 9pm. The cats in this game wouldn't stand for that. There are no cheery outfit changes and interior decorating contests.
The MH series in general tries to steer clear of such imagery. That may be why there is so much blood. This game is aimed at a more serious and mature audience.
An audience that understands that nothing comes without hard work. I could take this deeper and tell you that's probably why this game has received astounding success in Japan. But, im going to digress because it will turn this topic into something else. But, I do understand why Capcom was reluctant to release this and MH2 to the west. And, after reading a lot of the posts so far, you now can understand too.
Lastly, there is nothing wrong with the single-player aspect of this game, once you understand the core of what this game truly is. Again, a HUNTING SIMULATION with dragons.
Ever been on a hunting trip? Well, that's what this is.
A hunting trip with really really really BIG game.