For me:
1)
Lost Odyssey
[small]Oh my god... so much Lost Odyssey[/small]
Some of the deepest characters I've ever seen in a game. The story itself, if you think about it, wasn't
that great, but the way it told it and how emotional the game was made it feel so much better. And the characters were the icing on the cake.
Hironobu, I salute you.
[small]Granted, it does take a little while to get good.[/small]
2)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Does it even need to be said?
3)
Mass Effect 3... minus the ending.
[small]I haven't played the extended cut yet, though[/small]
I don't think I need to explain this one either. Disregarding the ending for a moment, of course. But of the three it was by far my favourite. Disregarding the ending.
Honourable mention goes to Dark Souls, if only because it's the first game I've played in a very long time that knows how to make a game challenging in s genuinely satisfying way.