My big games of the year were Dark Souls (which I platinumed already :) ) and Skyrim. Dark Souls has an unfair rep for being ultra hard when the truth is you just have to pay attention at all times and always remember you aren't super human like most games make you out to be.
As for Skyrim, this is just to be honest if you plan on giving it the time you really need to in order to immerse yourself in the experience and enjoy what the game has to offer you really don't need MW3 at all. This isn't a knock to MW3 because the same could be said about Skyrim if you chose MW3 instead.
I am sorry you didn't like BF3. I know what you mean about wasting money on a game, I was talked into buying Hunted the Demon's Forge earlier this year and I am still mad about that.
I will probably buy Arkham City and Assassin's Creed after I am finished with Skyrim just to support those two franchises.