However, I don't do multi, and I am not a patient gamer
Hmm, I think MH could not be for you, since these are games that require some patience, depending on equipment, hunts can take upwards to 20+ minutes (especially for a new player).
The gameplay flow completely depends on the weapon type though, since each type plays completely different, it's recommended to spend some time in the training room to get acquainted with each of the types, to be able to pick a type that the player feels more confortable with.
When it comes to multiplayer though, the story modes are completely soloable in both world and rise (monsters HP scales depending on 1, 2 or 3+ players), and at least on world/iceborne (I haven't played rise yet), only a handful of post-game monsters are truly meant for multiplayer.
Between Rise and World, I also hear that Rise is more friendly for new players, with its more arcade like approach? Though I haven't tried it yet.
I do recommend going for either World + Iceborne, or Rise + Sunbreak, since the expansions expand on their original base game's story, but the stories are pretty much not connected between World and Rise (they take place in completely different parts of the world of monster hunter).
Overall, both games are focused on fighting big monsters, and getting loot from them to upgrade equipment.