User blog comment:Aandrew07/Discussion of the Week: Towns and Villages/@comment-969093-20120828221418

Jumbo Village was a very interactive little community. For the first time in the series day/night mechanics were incorporated. Both in-quest and in-village.

New features in the improved Village system included it containing 4 major facilities which could be improved over time by completing requests from their head honchos. These were known as "Blue Bubbles" and "Red Bubbles".

They varied between item delivery requests to slaying requests. Completing the Blue ones would, in some cases, unlock the Red ones which in turn would upgrade the designated facility once a certain number had been completed.

Also a new and major improvement was the emphasis on a dynamic community. Every NPC had an important role (those bubbles) and would, as the player advanced and cleared private missions, grow bigger and provide more and better resources.

Then there was the implementation of the seasonal system and offline meshi (food combos). The seasonal system came with altered quest availability and item harvesting. (You didn't have to try gather Honeys in blue season for instance...)

Both night and daytime had their individual themes for the cozy village.

With nighttime also came some interesting, fun-poking mini-games such as a drinking contest with the Elder Dragon Wyverian Lady. Lets also not forget arm wrestling with the Harbor's catfish-like fatman. The guy randomly had a nigh-unbeatable strength but he did give you items when you managed to defeat him.

Getting the Harbor to LV3 (the highest possible for a facility) would also enable the player to sail towards the Village of Kokoto, which had a undergone an aesthetical revamp and modified theme. Here the player could hunt in the Forest & Hills and fight monsters such as the Monoblos, Chameleos and a ridiculously aggressive Rathalos (thing was ridiculously strong and fast).

Last but not least there was the expandable Hunter's House, which starts out as a modest, cozy little haven, only to become a bourgeosic hotel and finally a full-fledged luxurious lounge for the Hunter. Each House LV coming with it's own hearthwarming musical theme.

For me, Jumbo Village will always have a special place in my heart.