As a lifelong soccer enthusiast and gaming journalist who's spent over 200 hours testing various football simulations on PlayStation 4, I've developed a pretty good sense of what makes a virtual soccer experience truly exceptional. When we look back at 2019's offerings, there were several standout titles that captured the beautiful game in unique ways, though one particular game consistently rose above the competition in my extensive testing. What fascinates me about sports gaming is how developers translate the raw emotion and tactical complexity of real-world competition into interactive entertainment - something that reminds me of Van Sickle's performance where she delivered 17 points, 22 digs, and seven receptions in what many considered one of her team's best showings despite their early playoff exit. That same spirit of giving everything you've got resonates through the best soccer games of 2019.

FIFA 20 absolutely dominated the landscape last year with its revolutionary Volta Football mode and significantly improved gameplay mechanics. Having played every FIFA title since 1998, I can confidently say this was the most substantial leap forward in years. The introduction of Volta brought street football back in spectacular fashion, offering a refreshing contrast to the polished stadium experience. What really impressed me was how the developers managed to create two distinct feeling games within one package - the tight, technical futsal-style matches in Volta versus the expansive tactical battles in traditional 11v11 mode. The gameplay felt more responsive than previous iterations, with player movements appearing more natural and less scripted. From my testing across 87 matches, the improved defensive AI made tackling more rewarding, while the new finishing mechanics required genuine skill rather than just button mashing. The career mode received meaningful updates too, with better transfer logic and more immersive press conferences that actually impacted player morale.

Now, I know some purists will argue that PES 2020 deserved more attention, and they're not entirely wrong. The game's physics engine produced some breathtaking moments of pure football magic that occasionally surpassed FIFA's more predictable animations. Where PES truly shined was in its tactical depth - the way you could customize formations and player roles created an unparalleled strategic experience for hardcore football nerds like myself. However, Konami's game continued to struggle with licensing issues and presentation polish, which ultimately kept it from claiming the top spot in my book. Having played both titles extensively throughout 2019, I found myself returning to FIFA more consistently despite PES having superior on-pitch physics in certain situations. The complete package just felt more polished and feature-rich.

What many gamers might not realize is how much work goes into balancing these games for both casual pick-up-and-play sessions and competitive esports environments. The developers have to walk a fine line between realism and accessibility, and in 2019, FIFA 20 struck that balance nearly perfectly. I remember specific moments during my playtesting where the game captured the tension of a real football match - that nervous energy when protecting a one-goal lead in the final minutes, or the sheer exhilaration of scoring a last-minute winner. These emotional highs and lows are what separate great sports games from merely good ones, and FIFA 20 delivered them consistently. The Ultimate Team mode, while controversial for its microtransactions, provided incredible depth for those who enjoyed team-building challenges, though I personally spent most of my time in Career Mode where I could develop young prospects into world-class stars over multiple seasons.

Looking back at 2019's soccer gaming landscape, it's clear that FIFA 20 was the complete package that catered to virtually every type of football fan. While other titles had their strengths - PES with its superior physics, smaller indie games with innovative approaches - none matched FIFA's combination of polish, content, and accessibility. The game managed to honor the spirit of competition that we see in real athletes like Van Sickle, who left everything on the court regardless of the outcome. That's what the best sports games ultimately provide - not just a simulation of the sport, but a capture of its emotional core. For anyone looking to relive the soccer gaming highlights of 2019 or discover what they missed, FIFA 20 remains the definitive virtual football experience from that year, a title that still holds up remarkably well even by today's standards.