So far I have really enjoyed the demo. That being said, if I had to complain about something (not even really complaining) is that I didn't expect the game to be segmented into a bunch of smaller areas. I was kind of expecting an open world, so that was a bit of a disappointment. That being said, a small issue and i don't feel like it really detracts from the experience.
If there is no mechanic reason for it (there could be, I haven't played the game long) I wouldn't mind if they opened up the world a bit in future installments.
As far the design of the maps go, the game isn't about roaming around exploring big environments to be immersed in. You only go through them to gather items and track down monsters to hunt. When monsters run away, you have to follow them to another area of the map. However, you can take some shortcuts to certain areas or alternative routes. Also, when you die in battle, you're sent back to base camp where you'll need to run back to the monster's location. Seriously, it would be annoying having to run for 5-10 minutes to another area just to track down the monster if the environments were as nearly as big as the ones in say, Xenoblade Chronicles without convenient warp points. Although, having the map areas be segmented gives you the opportunity be in a safe zone away from where the boss monster currently is, so you can easily identity where the bosses is since each area of the map is labeled by a number. Also, boss monsters are limited to the possible areas each of them can travel to.
When you're running, it drain your stamina meter, but its also an important element to the battle system. The development time probably wanted to design the maps so it strikes a balance of the game's main concept of hunting and gathering without having players be too distracted by the sense of freedom to explore. After all, the game does have a timer unless you're playing in free hunt mode. Anyway, MH3U features noticeably shorter loading times than compared to say, MH Tri on Wii, so that's a relief. Maybe with MH4/MH5, Capcom can make traveling through the segmented maps appear to be done in a more seamless manner.
