The "clunkyness" of control, I guess it are coming from hardware limitation. You could see that from how aiming with bow works. I seriously couldn't understand this since Capcom is one of the main party who pushes Nintendo on releasing CPP, yet the camera control works like using d-pad instead of circle-pad/analog stick.I love Soul Sacrifice and disliked my short experience with MH, mostly because it felt clunky (due to the controls) and slow. From what I have played of the Toukiden demo, I am not sold on it either.
I bought MonHun3U on WiiU, expecting something similar, what I got is PS2 level of textures. Capcom just gonna capcom by reusing 3DS assets I guess.One thing Toukiden does better than SS that is completely undeniable is graphics though, Soul Sac looks like dog shit in comparison. DAT NATIVE RES HNNNNNNG
This explians the stlye difference between those two games really well. SS faster pace mean that bosses will have more attack in shorter timeframe, which requires you "button mash" every moment possible when window of opportunity appeared. While the "button mash" could fairly describe on how you attack, it does not on how you play due to afromentioned reasons, doge/rolling mashing wouldn't get you anywhere. Especially against fast bosses like Wyvern, Valkyrie, or Wraith.Sounds like you didn't spend too much time with MH. The crafting/exploring thing is nearly completely limited to the tutorial sections of each game.
As someone who likes both MH and GE styles of hunting game a lot the biggest thing that sets them apart for me is that MH requires far more spacing, precision, and commitment to each swing to play skillfully. GE style games give bosses more lenient windows of opening, hence the "mashing" and usually you can roll/dodge cancel out of attacks instantly due to shorter animations. It's kind of analogous to Dark Souls vs Devil May Cry.
It's very boring and slow, I'm still getting trouble getting into it because of that reason.What I completely agree with you on and understand though is that MH isn't instantly fun. Faster paced style hunting games throw you into it right away and you can easily adapt due to the leniency and similarity to other action games. MH has a long long learning curve (10+ hours) your first time and boring tutorial fights at the beginning.