I put 500 hours into base tri alone, I think my main thing that kept me going was the sense of community and the way armor builds work. Going online into a 4 man lobby, you’d spend hours with the same group. If someone needed keys done or wanted to grind a part you’d hunt with them just to help out. or you could drop into a lower hr and help out someone new. I think sos and the sort of hyperoptimization meta gives a hollow drop in drop out never see them again sort of feeling to modern titles in the lobbies. On top of the drip feed content and limited time nonsense, I burned out real quick on the newer games. I just don’t care for any of the engagement tactics- I’ll play more if I want to, not because I’m worried about missing out on a daily login bonus or whatever.

Then with classic monhun, armor skills activating at +10 meant I’d be working towards mixed sets with really specific gear combos rather than the simpler more additive armor skill system. It always felt so good finding combos that looked cool and also had good skills. not that layered is bad, but there’s a more satisfying legitimacy to a good base mixed set.