As a novice in the Monster Hunter franchise, I cannot evaluate the game in comparison with other titles in the series, but for the experience I had, it was truly a blast ride.
The game structure is truly engaging and complex: it is incredibly satisfying to be faced with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, which after a long series of adjustments to the arsenal and offensive approach becomes perfectly manageable, and in general every aspect of the game is supported by a strong emphasis on a progression that forces you to get used to annoying situations and try alternatives you did not expect to consider.
I found myself several times having to learn from scratch one of the various and extremely different weapons available and in each case it was a rewarding and satisfying experience. I find that it is critical for games of this type to properly set up a virtuous circle of frustration/success to really build a meaningful bond with the player who decides to stand by the often harsh rules of the game to test themselves, and this is something I really appreciate: this is where MHFU in my opinion really shines.
It is definitely not a perfect game and often seems almost unfair: the moves of some monsters have huge hitboxes that are difficult to properly read, there are extremely punishing elements that can undermine your hunt in a matter of seconds, the controls are slow and clunky, but at the end of the day all these flaws are simply enriching the fundamental mechanic that makes Monster Hunter successful: adapt, learn, and improve your hunting.