As with all sports video games in this generation, FIFA 10 is packed with more modes than the back of box text can handle.

In no particular order, Arena, Manager, Be a Pro, Tournament and Lounge Mode.  Over the course of my playing time with FIFA 10, I will cover the modes, instead of a big massive review of all.  First up, the Lounge Mode, where one can play a session of series of games with couch buddies, all matches are tracked as players complete for points, badges and cheats.

Never Play Alone
Lounge mode is a feature added to the FIFA series a few years ago, its key purpose is to track game sessions one would have with friends on a casual, friendly atmosphere in one's living room or bedroom.  As all sports fans know, there is no such thing as a friendly match.  The Lounge mode allows up 16 players, each of its choice of one team.  Players complete for badges, all earn by the number of goals, wins, clean sheets, fair play and so on.  These badges earn you cheats, where one can use the badge to inflict damage to the opposing team, for example a player may use a badge for the opposing team to be all booked with yellows or have fifty percent more attributes than the opposing team.  Did all of these features offer a compelling experience to multiple of friends I had over since the release of FIFA 10?  Does the Lounge mode offer a better alternative to the Play Now mode?

Dirty Lounge Time
Lounge mode is meant to be a fun and casual atmosphere, and it can be.  The competition between two brothers, a brother-in-law and a family friend is hardly a lounge atmosphere.  The core reason why the lounge mode is overlooked, it offers very little to competitive pickup players.   There is no explanation on how the points are earned or discounted nor how the badges achieved or stolen from opposing players.  Add a mischievous brother who erases his stats and recreates another team, in effect, taking the wind out of lounge mode.  Now, there is no way to really know who beat who, or any evidence to back ones' boasting, all leading to intense Thanksgiving dinner.

A bit to loose
Starting a Lounge mode sessions defeats the competitive nature of video game soccer.  No one wants to lose, especially by a handicapped cause by the opposing player.  The feature seems limited to a very small group of users who play the FIFA series on a occasional basis and possibly may not even own the game.  There needs to be more incentives to invest quality time into the mode.  I have to convince other users to try the mode, it is my PS3!  Any features to stoke the competitive fire, in depth stat tracking, ease of saving video goal highlights, and quick rematch challenge.  There is no need to finish the game and quit to the lounge menu to have a rematch.  The fire fades and turns off without a rematch option.
 EA Sports slogan "It's in the game" may apply to the realistic features of the sport, the Lounge mode should emphasize the competing nature between friends and family.  If it is in the living room, it should also be in the game.