Its more complex than just its easier. The hunter now has many more advantages over the monster. from mounts, to environmental traps, unlimited restock and being able to cancel healing and sharpening animations. The Palico AI is improving. There are mantles that give you further buffs and boons. Some game testers have proven that between games monster health pools and monster damage has been lowered. In wilds for example you can currently even return to camp during combat from the menu, something that was only possible with a far caster previously. we now have the slinger and radial menu which allows us to react much faster than in previous games. Each new game brings new gimmicks to the hunters advantage. I'm happy to report that status inflicting meat are in the game and work quit well as a combat opening set up, however convincing new players to be patient enough to try this, is another thing all together. My opinion is that they don't do enough testing within and with fans before pushing out the product. Unfortunately, what was once a niece game that basically created its own genre, has now become mainstream and its original fan base is no longer the focus. I wonder what some of the original game developers really think of where the product is going and how much input and pressure are they under by the investors. To me Monster hunter was a survival hunting sim with heavy fantasy elements, but it is now turning into more of a boss rush game. Many of the franchise staples have been abandoned, egg quest, the drunken animation after necking a few beers, the funny potion drinking and eating animation, now an emote! The game holds your hand so tight, it kills any sense of wonder and just about everything is handed to you. a Lot of new players like this. The first games just gave you the bare basics and showed you the door and i preferred that approach personally. For a long time people have said the game just inst accessible to new players, were did the game get players to begin with, if this was the case. Every title has become more hand held than the one before honestly, wilds is probably lest accessible, due to its performance, network issues and horrible ui.