There are a ton of great free 2 play games out on the market now, so it's easier than ever to play with others. So what do you think of doing nightly F2P game nights? We have Team Fortress 2sdays now, which does great.

All these games are F2P: Super MNC, League of Legends, Hawken, Blacklight: Retribution, DOTA 2, Tribes: Ascend. What else? Plus, we can get these games streaming over on Streamtoid if there was anyone willing to stream, or even shoutcast. Eventually I'm hoping this will all lead into a bigger idea I have with tournaments, but first things first.

It's funny being in this business. Ask anyone and you'll find out that most people end up talking about videogames more than they actually play them. Usually that's been the case with me, but this year I played a lot more games than ever, most to completion too. I'm really proud of that fact. It's one thing to talk about games, but it's a whole different level to talk about the games when you know them inside and out.

So it was really hard this time to narrow down my top 10 of 2012.



#10: Sleeping Dogs

I knew from the first second Square Enix/United Front Games showed us Sleeping Dogs that I was going to love it. I love these type of open-world experiences, and it's a perfect blend of the realistic approach the GTA series takes with the wackiness of the Saints Row franchise.

What really made the whole experience for me was the Hong Kong setting. We're so used to the American-like environments of other open-world games that Hong Kong felt unique and totally alien.



#9: Hotline Miami

Hotline Miami is such a dark and violent experience. While there are tons of gory games out there, the minimalistic approach developer Dennaton Games took made the gruesome acts you perform all the more shocking, forcing the player to imagine the worst. And that's all contrasted by the psychedelic visuals and one of the best game soundtracks of the year.



#8: Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Treyarch went above and beyond what it means to make a Call of Duty. They took some bold risks creating a killer story that incorporates player choice, and overhauled a multiplayer system that's been duplicated countless times by copycats. Plus, the multiplayer features some great weapons, and some of the best map designs since CoD 4.



#7: Super Hexagon

Without a doubt, Super Hexagon is one of the most addicting games I've ever played. It's so simple, and it's that simplicity that drives me crazy ever time I make a stupid mistake. I can stare at my phone for hours as the crazy visuals warp my mind while the killer music makes me want to get my groove on.



#6: FEZ

FEZ is a love letter to the 8-bit era, offering a simple and inviting world that will make your head spin as you realize just how deep and involving things can get. And no matter how frustrated you will get, it's hard to stay mad as you stare at the beautiful visuals while taking in DisasterPeace's splendid soundtrack.



#5: Max Payne 3

It says something about Rockstar Games that they can revive a franchise like Max Payne while keeping the core essentials of the series intact this day and age. No extreme makeovers, instead giving us an amazing dark and depressing story, plus fun combat mechanics all presented on an amazing game engine. I hope a lot more studios take from Max Payne 3's page by seamlessly integrating cinematics and gameplay in the future.



#4: Halo 4

I was so relieved after completing the first couple of missions in Halo 4. I, like many others, were legitimately concerned of a new studio taking over such a beloved franchise. Like I said in my review though, 343 nailed it. It still feels like a Halo game, while integrating new elements that make for an addictive first-person shooter. I'm still in disbelief at how practically next-gen the visuals look.



#3: Far Cry 3

I didn't see this one coming. Hell, I don't think many people did. Sure, there was a nice level of hype surrounding Far Cry 3, but I was just so focused on all the other first-person shooters this year that I damn near missed this one. I'm so glad I didn't. Yeah, the story is a bit lame, but that won't take away from how amazing the overall experience is.

It's a first-person shooter where you are free to take on the world as you see fit. And it's a living, breathing world. I will never forget how I was attacked by a random tiger while trying to sneakily take out a pirate camp once. I freaked out and gave away my position by firing upon the tiger and was about to get surrounded by pirates. So I ran towards the camp, and watched as the pirates and tiger shift focus onto each other, giving me the chance to regroup and attack while all everyone was distracted.



#2: Journey

I've never been as moved by an experience quite like Journey. To the point that I immediately started a second play through after the credits rolled. It's such a beautiful haunting world, one that I can play through over and over again and never get bored. It features one of the most engaging multiplayer components around too, something that I hope to see more of in games.

And its message of the human life cycle is something that I won't forget either, especially that last area. You know what I'm talking about.



#1: The Walking Dead

I never imagined that I'd like an Adventure game quite this much. The Walking Dead isn't just another zombie game. It's about humanity. It's about humans as they struggle to survive against increasingly hostile odds. From zombies, from the world, and most of all, from other humans trying to survive.

Lee Everett is you. You are this guy, once on his way to jail, now the ward of a hapless little girl. You have to make choices, ranging from bad to shit, and often with no time to worry about the consequences. Whatever you end up doing, it's all to keep a little kid safe and to show her the way in this new scary world.


---------------------------------

And now, I want to replay a bunch of these games after talking about them. While I was pretty proud of all the games I played in 2012, I still didn't get to see everything. If I have one New Years resolution, it's to play EVERY game I can in 2013.

So what were YOUR top 10 games of 2012?

Everything makes so much sense now. So so so much sense. Tonight on Twitter @Katamayadamcy looked up what her name means on Urban Dictionary. So I did the same thing and oh boy.

The traditional meaning of my name falls under number 2 on the list, being brave, with a lion's heart and such. It's the third meaning I had NO idea about, but everything in my life now makes so much more sense after reading it:



The examples of how to use my name in a sentence are equally priceless:

Girl 1: Holy fucking shit Hamza is the best lover ever
Girl 792: Yeah he wrecked my pussy
Girl 3275: I wish my husband was Hamza,
Girl 94: I don't, if he was my vagina would be no more

Thank you, Internet. Thank you so much.

We get a LOT of stuff sent to us on a regular basis. Here's what I've gotten in the last week and a half alone.

Story time! I’m at home, watching TV with my mom and a Papa Johns ad just reminded me of a funny period where I was trading NES game for pizzas at work.

Years ago, my dad and uncle owned a game store where we carried everything from Odyssey to current gen stuff. One day, a customer came in wearing his Papa Johns manager uniform, a surprise to me as I had no idea there was a Papa Johns nearby. We got to talking and struck a deal where I would trade him NES games every time I ordered lunch. It basically equated to 6 games for a large pizza, plus 2 extra games as a tip.

These particular NES games were all mostly the shitty ones. We kept the rare ones in a different cabinet, so I made out like a villain with this little deal. The whole thing lasted for a good few months, and stopped only because I got sick of Papa Johns.

Telling this tale just made me realize how I basically ran the store on my own after a few years, getting to do what I wanted to do and run things how I wanted. Kind of similar to the way things are now. History repeating, in a lot more ways than I’ve said here. Funny that.

A long time ago, I posted a C Blog where I dumped a ton of game codes sitting in my inbox. Now I'm doing it again! Most of these codes were supposed to be given out during contests. But get this, I'd wager that a good 25% of the codes given away never get used! Largely due to people never checking their PMs or giving us a fake/secondary email they never check. Check your Private Messages!

I hate, HATE, the idea of these codes never getting used. It seems like such a giant waste. So here's a bunch I've had sitting around, for you to possibly utilize. Do be careful with the PS3/PSN codes. Too many failed attempts will lock you out of your PSN account, so don't go crazy with those particular codes. Also, leave a comment on the ones you were able to claim, and the ones that didn't work to help everyone out.

Wouldn't be surprised if all the iOS codes are good though. Here's a little insight in how iOS developers promote their games: They just send us (everyone) a code along with their pitch. With console/PC stuff, the people that send the codes expect some coverage in return. On the mobile side, people tend to just blast out codes and hope that something comes of it.


Rotastic (XBLA):
DX6R7-34DKG-7P3GD-MD3TM-76CGZ

SWAP (PS3, European)
QTJ6-NPNJ-M6JT

Sideway: New York (PSN)
2D5P-LNNK-K2K3
44QJ-4GNL-M6P6

Major Mayhem (iOS)
3WW3FH4KKJXR

Sonic Adventure (XBLA)
HYC7Y-DXPMQ-PRGQF-TF7DJ-7VJ9Z
V4JVF-TF3Y4-KDGTY-XP2Y3-3KFJZ
RJWX6-HPYQW-3TRY6-22PKF-QC3XZ
KX3Q6-M3M7F-XT7VV-X379X-D7W4Z
H9449-D43JX-GV47Q-4KCDJ-CH3VZ
K2FVV-69PTP-FMRC4-R9J29-V9P6Z
P7YGY-2H64K-X472F-PGTHM-6FCFZ
HQ22G-2FY3G-HQX23-K4MV9-2J6FZ
D3MXY-HTPK7-FTJ6R-RFVWX-TVXHZ

Space Channel 5 Part 2 (XBLA)
9JJ97-32QQC-3QJJX-H7Y6V-D6DTZ
QPMCF-W9QMC-2QQJV-MTMYH-PHPKZ
TRM4C-CVK2K-PJHWK-FVP9Q-M969Z
KJKJ9-VCCCX-9TKHG-XF76Q-4FQJZ
CKR74-XRFCG-39MDH-MWGHY-TCFTZ
KVCYG-K4DM9-V7QQ7-VW64J-YK6MZ
FVCCJ-R42PW-RJWT6-GDFPR-T3GTZ
RVHGX-TMCFW-P3J6V-4T6PK-Q74TZ
RK29X-9P4XQ-7GJHR-69KW7-QRXCZ
YC92W-PTGHT-TYK3C-P2G2H-QTJPZ

Sega Bass Fishing (XBLA)
V234W-C3FJ4-CKF7V-HH2TH-MXKXZ
MGRH2-CPGK7-4MCV4-6HVMC-K23XZ
WJJVT-QPDC7-HKG6H-67DVJ-P6YPZ
CRTC4-67W66-6X22D-6DRV9-3VGHZ
VCXR2-JTW29-QCTPX-QV3M9-YW23Z
MD4W9-3QJPJ-JM4P6-6JRVW-9RQMZ
V9GKT-WJYJP-V3HHY-PK6FG-J32XZ
XRGX2-FRP6C-QQQF4-RGXM7-2KKTZ
MP229-R3WYM-CJM7V-MXJKX-GJ9VZ
MMV2K-YHPF4-WM4DV-97P4H-4FGDZ

The Baconing (Steam)
YXMY6-R7540-X7RRF
XRJED-TDTJC-AZG3B
Z8PAX-JEIYZ-7PDE3
ZHC26-35BJM-7DHW5
Y5EY2-I72FG-KFNB0

UFC Undisputed 2010:
MXTEKF4J6P69

Prinny 2 (PSP):
3RJ6-LJNL-QHNJ

Raskulls (XBLA):
DG336-VYT3G-2R6GJ-JMFRD-D923Z
94HTQ-GDH6F-Y43P4-MK4RH-PV4RZ
3YWTK-XKVKW-6GGQ9-DKC2Q-4XC6Z
KDCJT-66Y3M-RG94R-FCCVD-GJF6Z
JPTJV-6XMRX-DKPTK-9362R-PMH3Z
4G623-3D69Q-6V679-M2JM7-QD2DZ
9QHP7-749XM-H96P2-Q6T3J-HVFWZ
YRV6T-CWRQW-MWYFK-4WCMW-G6HWZ
HH3XT-C39DJ-DK4HX-THCPD-CMXJZ
6JMW7-RMWTH-4W9DY-DGV4Q-RTWFZ

Boom Boat 9 (iOS):
WRAYP674PYNH

Monday Night Combat (Steam)
GMJ2E-CS3YC-ADSFP-ZKYHH-K87LL
GMJ2E-CRLY7-GWEAG-JK62E-5I3ZW
GMJ2E-CRKV7-DXE8A-KGVGN-29JE8
GMJ2E-CRJE8-MHSY4-JSWBN-GWARR
GMJ2E-CRIT6-XXC9H-DHP66-GEP87
GMJ2E-CRPHS-LB4KK-PMBBQ-DMTQN
GMJ2E-CR287-28NPK-R983A-DXPDP
GMJ2E-CRNA7-Q8W2H-JJNEA-3P8KY
GMJ2E-CRMCA-WZIM2-SAN5P-E9V43
GMJ2E-CRD6S-IXT95-3WCJS-LHCKD

Chicken Escape (iOS):
iPad NEAMATXPWPR3
iPhone JKAEAYX6P3AX

SKWER (iOS):
KJ4N9JWEXR9N

Paddle Battle (iOS):
NX3NJPAXK7EN

Splitter Pals (iOS)
99WPH6WXPE3Y

Phantom Brave (PSP)
4D2B-6KNG-N89G

Black Ops First Strike DLC (PS3)
G77E-MTNG-C6BA
NLFD-JJN5-ANH7
D3R8-H4NM-3DR4
2QE5-FMNC-52LL
PHAH-TPN3-86MB
3AAD-JANP-H3G7
DJFD-PAN9-J9QG
RTN9-HLN4-8PH6
4T9L-39N9-8Q4N
6JAR-DJNT-A6M8
3QTP-Q7NF-HP7R
JPHR-62N5-H673
CD3G-2BN5-P8HT
EAPP-L9NP-ERPH
JB4T-A2ND-A2DR

PIX'N LOVE RUSH (PSN)
RKKP-KENP-LB9N

AC: Brotherhood DLC (PS3)
94CF-PHN8-J64G

Colorflys (iPad)
E9FJX3AFEL9N

Section 8: Prejudice (XBLA)
V67Q4-GKPRT-HWM94-HK4DX-DQRMZ

Clash of Heroes HD
XBLA:
V3F3G-37VH7-MHFPX-XRY9Q-MKGGZ

PSN:
CDQT-29N4-KC6H
G2AD-BPN9-KBR7
6CDC-K2N7-DG25

Kinect Sports: Calorie Challenge (XBLA):
XW3QG-YM2XC-7XG9T-MX7M9-QJX7Z

Space Bunnies (iOS):
HALYYALRXPRA

Music Box (XBLIG)
CF4BT-23YM2-DCKG2-W28MD-W9F9Q

Black Ops Escalation codes (PS3)

7JMG-EKNP-K76H
8R6P-BPN8-7HMB
7785-4PNA-TAD6
MFL2-B8NN-PGDF
TDMT-H9NC-Q3KG
F57J-GJN3-DQQL
5P43-68N6-K24K
6QMQ-C6NA-JTKR
RCPA-EAN4-9P3N
GHHG-4NNK-2TGT
PGB5-QGN4-9RCJ
H792-Q6NL-FBDE
232K-R8NM-27DB
RR6H-NDN7-PQGT
TNDG-B2NP-HBNN

Shooter RD 007 (iOS)
PNK3JKJWJMX9

Tennix (iOS)
N3LA47F6YW9X
EPY6HMPNM344

Slaughter House Game (iOS)
HMXLA3TPNMP9

Black Ops Annihilation codes PS3:
HA5K-L9NP-JTJE
KHCR-7PNP-HPDM
K4FR-Q6N5-27L5
79RC-9CNE-36A5
NRD2-EQN9-DKJH
DJTK-7CNQ-RAAE
9DBJ-3NNF-2TRB
39DE-QBNK-TR4F
N5C2-EKN5-CNKF
LBNE-JGNF-TD65
MBHQ-8DN4-HNKG
EGJD-NHNN-K9TG
TM8R-B8NG-F2RM
6K72-HBN7-TERE
7RAJ-L6NM-6PPJ

PC:
M739N-L5IK6-Y5FL7
5EHH2-ND7DW-LX6FC
73MWM-9LP7E-3NAPB
9GGL9-Y74YF-9C3NG
0D933-NGV4Z-GQCER
ZVWRD-2LLYH-EHLQY
YV6Z3-H8B2D-MFH69
X54IX-JBX0L-CAJYC
T6YF4-QLA07-PH8L2
RB8AH-YRI33-KBJ9J
0R3FC-MHFZ3-39QGF
RAF9N-TK9KA-NAP2X
Q7IW3-RMQVV-MRKRE
Q3G4L-Y9WIC-0BZHW
I255L-R4LHI-E9QX0

Ninja Zero (XBLIG)
QPBTV-BHG6H-49W4B-3R632-9YMR6

One Epic Game (PSN)
US: 8475-GEN5-3KJJ
EU: GTBF-MENC-RM9N

Fractal (iPad)
RA9LP4PEEN94

Genesia (iPad)
JN97YXLPTW43

Picture Beat Musique (iOS)
4LLXXKYALHPF

Dust Bunnies (iOS)
iPhone: F6M7MA6JHNJ7
iPad: L4NLA4XEP6J3

Atomic City Adventures (Direct2Drive)
1B13C166F0A99CF670F8B30BE9C014CA

Mathical Vol. 1 (iOS)
HEHHTJ76NYRK
iPad: T3HPWR9YP49M

invAlders (XBLIG)
WTVX6-4J2VM-FHYG7-T94XB-GHMHM

All the Bad Parts (XBLA)
G42HT-TGGP6-DP87Q-3PQJD-CJ2HJ

Black Ops Rezurrection (PS3)
BF43-DBNN-P5F5
9HNA-HNNL-JEDN
D6BL-3RN2-E66N
5AAH-3TNA-2L47
GRQB-A7NP-KENE
AANA-ALNC-T5TK
NE4K-7GN2-594B
6JP7-J2NE-K6TC
KPMT-Q4NB-DT3F
MAQP-MRNF-2JG2