Looking back on 2012--and given that there's only about three hours left in 2012 in the first place, it's certainly worth a look back--there are certain things that stand out from my year in gaming, not to mention for the industry as a whole. So permit me to get a bit maudlin and set up a little rose-colored look back at the year that was in gaming.

1. Three pieces of Skyrim DLC. There were a lot of things that could be said for Skyrim, and about Skyrim, but it was absolutely impossible to knock the sheer amount of downloadable content this game was packing in. No way. Just not possible. There was Dawnguard, there was Hearthfire, there was Dragonborn. One piece right after the next in a pure orgiastic glee of downloadables. One month I'm fighting vampires with the sweetest crossbow ever. Just when I thought crossbows were out of the Elder Scrolls forever, here they are again: back and better than ever. I hadn't seen a crossbow since Morrowind. That made me happy. Then when I found out I was going to get to see Solstheim again, that made me even happier.

2. E3. E3 is on everybody's list when it comes to games, because this is where we get to see all the stuff that's on the way. Sure, it may take a while, but this it where the best will be coming, eventually. This year wasn't exactly the greatest--with all the consoles aging, no one's looking to commit a whole lot of top-shelf firepower until the new stuff starts making its appearance--but we still had some nifty items to look forward to.

3. Saints Row: The Third. Yes, I know that came out at the end of 2011, but I didn't actually get a chance to try it out until 2012. And man, if ever there was a game that was worth the wait that didn't have "Fallout" or "Elder Scrolls" attached to it, that was worth it. A delightful pile of sheer comic glee, reveling in obscenity, audacity and sheer ludicrousity--is that even a word? If it isn't, it should be--to bring me the funniest gangster romp I've ever seen. The jetbike alone was worth the cost of admission, even if it didn't end up doing me much good gameplay-wise as I couldn't reach it until the sandbox mode at the end. At the rate they're going, if there's ever a Saints Row 4, my head will explode from the laughter and fun.

That was what got my gears pumping in 2012 as far as gaming goes, but be sure to come back tomorrow. When New Years' Eve is the best of the year, New Years' Day is the best of next year. What will I be most looking forward to in 2013? Be sure to come back and see for yourself.