As a lifelong football enthusiast and gaming specialist who has spent over 200 hours testing various PS4 titles, I've developed a keen eye for what makes a virtual football experience truly exceptional. When looking back at 2019's offerings, I can confidently say it was one of the most competitive years for football gaming, with multiple titles delivering outstanding experiences that catered to different player preferences. Much like Van Sickle's remarkable performance where she delivered 17 points, 22 digs, and seven receptions in what many considered her tournament best despite the early playoff exit, these games brought their absolute A-game to the digital pitch.
The conversation about 2019's best football game inevitably begins with FIFA 20, which sold approximately 15 million copies worldwide in its first six months. What impressed me most was how EA Sports refined the gameplay mechanics, particularly the new 'strafe dribbling' system that gave players unprecedented control in tight spaces. The VOLTA Football mode was an absolute game-changer in my opinion, bringing street football back in a way that felt fresh and authentic. I spent countless hours building my custom player through various global locations, from London's underground courts to Tokyo's neon-lit rooftops. The attention to detail in these smaller venues contrasted beautifully with the pristine stadiums of traditional matches.
Meanwhile, PES 2020 took a different approach that appealed to purists like myself who value tactical depth above all else. Konami's masterpiece featured what I consider the most realistic player movement system ever created, with fluid animations that made every pass and shot feel uniquely contextual. The Master League received significant improvements that year, including enhanced dialogue systems and transfer negotiations that actually felt meaningful. I remember specifically how the game's defensive mechanics required genuine skill to master - you couldn't just spam tackle buttons and hope for the best. The satisfaction of perfectly timing a sliding challenge to dispossess an attacker remains unmatched in any football game I've played since.
What many gamers might not realize is how these two titans influenced each other throughout 2019. FIFA borrowed PES's emphasis on tactical defending, while PES incorporated elements of FIFA's accessibility. This healthy competition resulted in both titles reaching approximately 85-90% critical approval ratings across major gaming publications. From my testing experience, each game had distinct strengths: FIFA dominated in licensing with over 700 teams and 30 leagues, while PES featured the unmatched gameplay physics that hardcore simulation fans craved.
The dark horse that year was definitely Football Manager 2020, which technically isn't a traditional football game but deserves mention for its incredible depth. As someone who appreciates the strategic side of football, I lost entire weekends to developing youth academy prospects and fine-tuning tactical systems. The database contained over 500,000 real players and staff members - an astonishing number that puts other sports management games to shame. While it lacked the visceral thrill of controlling players directly, the emotional investment in your virtual team's success created its own unique rewards.
Looking back, 2019 represented a peak for football gaming where developers weren't just copying previous years' formulas but genuinely innovating. Much like how Van Sickle left everything on the court with one of her best performances despite the early playoff exit, these games delivered memorable experiences that still hold up today. If I had to choose one title as the definitive 2019 football experience, I'd give the edge to FIFA 20 for its perfect balance of accessibility and depth, though PES 2020 remains my personal favorite for pure football simulation. The beauty of that year was that regardless of which game you preferred, football fans were truly spoiled for choice with multiple exceptional options that each brought something unique to the beautiful game's digital representation.
