Check YouTube reviews by Gamespot & ACG.
For me it's enjoyable so far hunting different monsters as each is unique. You can capture them too, and many other optional quests.

I like coop games so, this is the best game without much toxic community. Newcomers in the game that annoys me is keep tripping/launching me and hitting monster at wrong place. Like blades should aim tail not the head. Minor thing for now in LR quests.

If you find it difficult, send a flare SOS, hunt monster and upgrade for better armor and weapons.

I'm not sure about PC community and is crossplay between PS4/xbox is possible. It's released date is few more months as well.

To share additional info, whoever has street fighter V in their console entitle to free dlc in the future in MHW to get Ryu and Sakura full set armor.

Erm...What's one of the down-pulling factor? Gameplay mechanics? Graphics?

I didn't actually tried it myself as I watched my bro to play through several mission during beta. Graphic was amazing, just that feeling so heavy wielding all those super big size weapons haha
The mob look a bit similar with Horizon Zero Dawn. Getting my dissidia soon but can't make up my mind on this..will watch some review to try convince myself first

You can just do expedition if you want, it has no time limit and monsters leave and go with some different one's coming out. But I suggest you to do story first as it unlocks new area, new monster, new items for hunting and easier way to earn material without hunting. Main mission isn't that much actually, optional mission is available that will keep you busy as well. To increase your HR level you need to clear the main mission, then more stuff will be available. You'll understand when you start playing.

There is no difficulty options on MH, it's just one single difficulty, so it's more challenging. What you face is also what the beginners and veterans are facing. Suggest taking your time to learn for a while to get into the game, if wanna just wack monsters only, you might not like it because you'll need to understand most of the mechanism first, then you can get into the game. Just make sure you read the tutorials and texts, and you'll be good.