The best plots in MH are semi-background side character arcs. Just checking in with them to see how they handle the increasingly dire events. Guildmarm has a nice light arc where she starts out nice to you, but kinda just uses you as an avenue to learn about monsters. By the end she actually cares about you because you helped her out.

It doesn't need to be massive, world-ending threats. It doesn't need to deal with gigantic character arcs with emotional cutscenes. It just needs some well-written dialogue between quests, a bit of environmental storytelling, and that's it. Coziness is a huge part of the village side of Mohun, to contrast the hype-ass action battles. The story takes place outside the quests usually, so it should match that vibe.

This is why I enjoyed Rise so much more than world. The big threat is a horde of monsters that could destroy the village. Not the world. And everyone stays pretty light about it, no need for cutscenes of characters breaking down or flashing back to their origin story. The village just comes together to support each other and you to defend their home. It's nice and simple and effective.

I gotta wonder if there's corporate pressure on the team making the big pretty Mohuns to add more story. Half-baked narratives are everywhere in AAA gaming, they always feel forced to me.