I'm one of the rare few that likes Gen more. My reasons are very subjective, and I'm probably consideted a scrub because of them, but I just want to get them out there.

Before you jump on me, I don't think MH4U is a bad game.

If you want a more concrete reason and less sentimental blabbing then scroll down to the 'pros and cons' section.

TL;DR the following paragraph: I can meaningfully enjoy more aspects of Gen, because the most of the game is balanced, unlike in 4U.

I get that the distaste for Gen in favor of 4U comes from a not too easily identifiable end game compared to the latter. In 4U you just strap a Gravios HBG on, go online, hunt a few dozen pairs of apex rajangs in about half an hour and there. Loot, money and levels. Easily consumable end game content. In Gen you have to be a bit more creative than that. You still can spam Grimclaw and Thunderlord for levels, but thats boring. The same as Rajang spam. Unlike Rajang however, you don't get game breaking equipment from it, so there's less incentive to do it. Being able to be creative in a MH game always meant much more to me, than how much I can rack up the kills with three other players, spamming the shoot button with a HBG. You gain no satisfacion other than your HR going higher. For some people that's enough, but for me that's nothing. It doesn't challenge me and it's a waste of my time and a waste of the game as well. Even within gameplay, in that time I spent crouch-firing pierce shots I could practice weapons, monsters, farm materials, make armors and weapons, the works. MHGen, unlike 4U, rewards me for these things. In 4U no matter what stuff you spend time forging, no matter what monster you spend time fighting for fun, lv140 guild quests and exclusive 360 true raw weapon drops will always be there to remind you: you're a scrub for not caring about the repetitive end game content. Your weapons and armor is worthless if it's not HAME gear, your skills as a player and 90% of the game's content mean nothing in the end.

4U, along with 3U kind of took me out of the 'Monster Hunter spirit' and burned me out pretty badly. I wasn't excited for MHX at all when it was first announced. I scoffed at the new features and it took me to actually play the game to rekindle the love I felt for the series I tought I lost after 4U. I'm forever grateful for MHGen for this. Here's hoping MHXX will keep the balance intact.

With all that said, here's the pros and cons between the two games for me, albeit some points are less subjective here:

MH4U: Pros: +easier armor mixing ability +g-rank gear looks nice +Nerscylla +Gogmazios

Cons: -story (it made people expect more complex story from mh which it never had or needed before, nor does it need now imho) -guild quest weapon rewards (makes weapon forging obsolete) -apex monster mechanics -lack of end game balance (rajang HAME 4 Ultimate) -still trying to emulate MHFU's g-rank system -volcanic hollow -tidal najarala

MHGen: Pros: +The most amount of unique large monsters and the most amount of large monsters combined in any main series MH game +The framerate may be fixed at 30, but unlike 4U, it doesn't fluctuate when you play online or local multiplayer with more than 1 person. +New weapon and armor upgrade system +CB and IG nerf +a lot of quality of life changes (remove all decorations, keeping registered color etc) +hunting styles, hunter arts +basically a new weapon type: prowler +deviants +the surplus on nostalgia-whoring, fitting for a 10th anniversary title (I undertand that this is very personal, but I love it.) +a lot of old maps are back, the one new map is I dare say better designed than most of gen 4s previous maps +Best balance since MHP3rd +no on-rail damage sponge bosses +Alatreon +Amatsu +japanese DLC goodies (this is the most I felt "Monster Hunter" since P3rd. Also very personal point)

Cons: -armor mixing is limited -no Tundra or Gen3 Volcano -Volcanic Hollow is still in the game -no Diablos -no Nerscylla (Bow of Hope and Valor) (Hayabusa earring is a bit centralizing but i still like to use it. ) (Adept and aerial are too lenient, but still fun dammit)