The year-end VG awards of 2012

[Gare]

If you've been a member here for a while, you know that this has become sort of an annual thing for EP. I usually post these at the beginning of December, but I guess doing it a few days early isn't going to change much. So here goes.

Rules:

#1 - This isn't limited to games released this year. It just has to be a game you played this year, preferably for the first time.

#2 - No flame wars. This isn't a "my favorite game is better than yours" sort of thread.


Alright, here we go. (I always encourage elaborating on your choices, but it's not necessary if you don't want to.)

The best games you've played this year?
Your overall game of the year?
Your most beloved franchise(s) this year?
Your most beloved gaming company/companies this year?
Your most beloved gaming platform this year?
Best soundtrack/video game music of the year? Feel free to post Youtube vids of the selected piece if you can find it.
Biggest surprise of the year?
Biggest disappointment of the year?
Most memorable VG character of the year?
The game you sank the most hours into this year?
The game(s) you're looking forward to the most next year?