Shi: My thoughts on ME3 are fairly clear, but I would never discourage someone from actually playing it. Especially if they've played the first two games. As I mentioned, there are some genuinely good moments in ME3, some story arcs can get resolved nicely and things happen with certain characters that are genuinely touching and affecting. I would still suggest you play it, just know that if you want the best experience with the game, you'll need to download about 3 DLC packs which adds so much more info to the game. The fact that it wasn't all on-disc at launch, and that they ask you to pay for it, is genuinely quite insulting.
Portal 2 wasn't out this year, but if it was your favourite game, then how can you argue against it? That's a game I haven't played yet either, I really should get on that.
Speaking of games released last year:
2012's 2011 Game of the Year - Dark Souls
Make no mistake, if not for the fact that I wanted to recognise games being released this year only, Dark Souls would have easily walked it as the best game I've played this year. It's a game that is uncompromising, dark and bleak and just pours with atmosphere. Rarely do you play a game and feel so alone and helpless. But at the same time, for all of it's renowned difficulty (and it is difficult, believe me) it is never unfair and the game does just enough to help you out along the way. You will die, a lot, but it's surprisingly essential to how you approach the game. You learn from any mistakes you make and you want to keep playing. Any little bit your do in the game feels rewarding. I think it's down to the fact that because the world feels so oppressive, so bleak and filled with this sense that everything is out to kill you, that it feels like an accomplishment for any bit of progress you do. Discovering a shortcut is as satisfying as defeating a boss. You know that as you explore the world, with every corner you take there'll always be something new to find, a new enemy to fight and there will always be that feeling of "shit, I've ventured too far, these enemies are way more powerful, I shouldn't be here but....the loot!".
I'm just amazed that for a game with so little direct story content stringing everything along, I'm still so gripped by it. I chalk it up very much to From Software's knack for atmosphere. They're graphics are, as far as I know, usually nothing all that advanced, but they still manage to make things look absolutely phenomenal because of the art design, detail effects and the sheer scope and scale of some of the environments. The game also has some of the best boss battles you will ever see.
I freaking love this game, so much so that I'm right back in it with New Game +, something I rarely do. It's not for everyone, I can see that, but if you like the idea behind it, I can't recommend it enough. Don't let the renowned difficulty put you off, it just takes a while to learn the mechanics of how to approach the game, but you will learn and soon you will be as hooked as I was. Dark Souls is not only the best game I've played this year, but quite possibly the best game to come out this generation.