Because like all PSP games, why buy it when people can get it for free?

It's certainly popular enough in the West, it's the #1 PSP board at Gamefaqs and the traffic is greater than some top selling 360 games like Oblivion.

It sells in Japan because I guess the Japaense are more honest?

Different in that 2nd G is an expansion to MHF2. Though the names of the games are slightly different Monster Hunter Portable (Japan) Monster Hunter Freedom (NA)

i don't suppose there's any word on when it will make it stateside... amazon.com has the japanese version at $90

Its an expansion, come with extra stuff and things you could not do in first.

I agree with that. I tried really really hard to like this game. Its just not built for single player in my opinion. The single player is really meant to prime you for the multi-player experience.

It is very similar in construction to Phantasy Star Online (not the new one), but at least the single player in that was fun.

I disagree, I have as much fun playing MHF2 on my own as I do with people, obviously its a bonus with people, but the issue is that if they get killed, you go down with them, which means even if you are good, you pay the price for others weaknesses.

Battles can be long and trecherous, and its not exactly an arcade like game where you can pick up, and complete a mission before you reach your bus stop, but it is fun regardless of whether you play alone or with mates.

What would be a bonus however is if it was online, now THAT would be incredible, but I assume thats the next step for Capcom.

I don't like Monster Hunter at all. I even bothered renting BOTH versions to see what the hysteria was all about, trying hard (like reson8ter) to find what's soooo great about it. And nah, it's definetely an overrated game... and the camera system stinks.

I think it works great as a single player game, i've played by myself for over 200 hours now and i'm still having a blast. Although, some of the harder quests, can be extremely difficult to do on your own.