Game monetization is a dicey subject. Developers and publishers need to make money and recoup their investments, but how they go about it varies wildly. Some methods are fair and widely accepted. Others fall into a much grayer, more exploitative area.

Summer is a special time of year. School's out, the sun's out, and sometimes—but not always—things slow down just enough to let you breathe. Whether you're heading to the beach, lounging by the pool, or just soaking up the extra daylight, summer has a feeling all its own.

If you're a variety gamer like me, you're always on the lookout for new titles to try. But it's tough to get a true feel for a game without playing it first, and with video game prices climbing across the board, picking the wrong one can be a costly mistake.

I'm lucky enough to have a partner who might love video games even more than I do, so we're constantly on the hunt for games to play together. Every couple has their go-to activities, and for us, gaming tops the list.