>>5936739Monster Hunter Stories is an upcoming spin-off more akin to a JRPG, playing nothing like the actual mainline series.
If you want to play mainline, consider starting at either MH3U or MH4U (3G/4G in Nipland respectively) seeing as you have a 3DS; both games have significantly different rosters, though the former has underwater combat and the latter has more QoL additions.
MHX/Generations is newer, but it's pacing is fucking horrendous.