I have quite a firm grasp on what a white-knuckle race experience is. When the pedal meets metal, a game has to go the extra mile to make me whoop in joy or fear. That said, if you’re a PS5 owner with this kind of race day in mind, there are ways to get you where you want to go, quicker than a Dodge Tomahawk.

For the sake of comparison, the last time I did an o-face while operating an automobile was when I raced TCS-less Mercs over an ice lake for Project CARS 2. ‘For’ is the important conjunction here; you’ll note I didn’t say in. Once upon a preview event, I hopped a plane to Sweden to do this IRL, courtesy of Slightly Mad Studios. It was the day I learned some quirky developer names can be actual warnings.

Anyway, drifting atop a body of water set the bar rather high for pulse-racing…er, racing. The only time I’ve felt the like of it was when I shook hands with the 11Nm of force in a Logitech G Pro Wheel, coupled with the there-ness of PlayStation VR2.

That’s an experience I would very much like you to have for yourself, hence this guide. So, let’s get started with a (not exactly inexpensive) checklist of what you’ll need to really feel some speed. Once that’s in our rearview, I’ll detail exactly how it all feels when hooked up.

Table of Contents

• The equipment
• The setup
• The apex experience

The Equipment

Racing nirvana isn’t cheap, but you (and low lap times) are worth it.

Back to top

The Setup

Let’s start with the good news. The initial setup of all this — connecting a PS5 to your TV, downloading the relevant GT7 updates and plugging the PS VR 2’s one cable in — is child’s play.

Also, though it’s bristling with tech, Logitech’s G Pro Racing Wheel is a cinch too. The detachable wheel needs to be clipped on, one cable for your (optional) pedals gets connected to the wheelbase, and another goes to a power brick that certainly earns the name. Finally, you’ll bung a single USB A cable into the front of your PS5. It’ll be recognised the second you tap the red starter button, followed by the PlayStation button.

The only logistical concern here is where to mount this turn slaying beast. Using its included clamping system, the G Pro Racing Wheel can be affixed in a surprisingly secure fashion to a table. Mind you, a serious racer will want to take the bonafide racing seat route. Your choices here are broad, but the G Pro adheres to some pretty standardised nuts, bolts and spacings.

I went with an old cockpit I had kicking about. I may update this article later with a best-in-class option worth pursuing. For now, though, a comfy chair and a table of sensible height will do you just fine. Because, let’s not forget, you’ll be in VR. There’s no need to drag furniture to match the optional viewing angle of a telly.

From PS5 power on, to racing, to shutdown, the PS VR2 + G Pro Wheel experience can be achieved completely without a screen.

It should also be mentioned that the more mechanically minded gamer can fine-tune the physical characteristics of their G Pro Pedals. The level of customisation here is as impressive as it is intuitive. For the sake of time, I’ll let Logitech’s Ricard Neville peddle that feature to you here.

Down-the-road tinkering aside, the only initial setup you’ll need to do is within the G Pro Wheel’s on-board computer. Using the LED HUD and a dial at 7 o’clock, you can go into settings and select which compatibility mode (PC, PS4, PS5) you wish the wheel to auto-boot into. Valuable seconds saved.

Next, tinker with one of the five switchable profiles. I’ll let Logitech do the heavy lifting here on what the FF Filter, Dampener, TF Audio and Angle settings do. For your first drive, may I simply suggest you crank up the Trueforce to max and force feedback to 11Nm.

What are those things? Well, Trueforce has been around since 2020’s G923 wheel, it’s tech that takes data from within the physics and audio packages of supported racing games to deliver extra sensations and vibrations to the wheel rim and into your hands. In case you’re wondering, said titles include Assetto Corsa Competitzione, Dirt Rally 2.0, GRID, Monster Truck Championship and WRC Generations.

As for what force feedback is when cranked to 11Nm…well, that’s best left to the next section. But to give you a layman’s idea: it’s how much the wheel will fight you. At 2.2Nm, the G923, was little more than a lightweight compared to the Mike Tyson stylings of the G Pro.

Back to top

The Apex Experience

I’m no stranger to steering wheel peripherals. There are ten or so littered about my (actual) garage, from the rubber banded awfulness of Mad Catz’s PS One efforts to my ol’ faithful Logitech G29. I’m armed with modern context, too, having sampled many a lap with the G Pro’s closest Thrustmaster and Fanatec competitors.

All that being said, and as potentially jaded as I am, my mind was blown by the VR + G Pro Wheel experience. In terms of gameplay and sheer immersion, they conspire to create a near perfect duet of brain-tricking realism. Back in the aforementioned day, Slightly Mad Studios also introduced me to a G-force-equipped sim rig, which cost three times more than the PS package I’m detailing now. Nevertheless, I still find it hard not to be impressed with the thrills-to-dollars ratio provided here.

Furthermore, I was absolutely lapping this all up in record time, thanks to unmatched plug ‘n’ play fuss.

A quick confession before we continue: I have been on a GT7 hiatus of late. Some of you veterans may commiserate as to why. Once you burn past the end credits of an enthralling cafe campaign, Grind Turismo 7 begins in earnest. When some patches came along to exacerbate that situation, with car prices increasing and reward credits lowering, I all but switched off the engine.

I’m not here to tell you that those problems have magically evaporated, nor can I refute some of the minor concerns our reviewer had with the G Pro Wheel. More games do need Trueforce, and Polyphony has to rethink how many noughts ought to be in a price.

What I am here to tell you is something I never thought I’d ever say. I cannot wait to stop typing this and go run that ordinarily mind-numbing, money-making strat again — for the thousandth time — if it’s with this wheel and in VR. That would be my pleasure. The feud is over GT7. Yet again, I’m more hopelessly hooked than your A-9 license hairpin.

You can put all that down to the incredible feedback and precision of the Logitech G Pro Wheel, plus the there-ness of PlayStation VR 2. The track connection they provide has the power to turn the mundane into a one-more-go rollercoaster ride. This is a statement made by somebody who happily ran a Trial Mountain money making strat eighty times to pony up the 8 mil needed for a McLaren MP4/4.

Why that car in particular? Because anything open-top in VR is especially thrilling to drive — call it the unreasonable, lizard brain fear of decapitation one doesn’t feel during “flat screen” play.

Moreover, when your melon is unencumbered by windows and a cabin, Sony’s Pulse 3D headset does its very best work. Expect a symphony of tunnel and/or track barrier-reflected engine and tyre retorts. The stuff that utterly enhances the phenomenal feedback you’re feeling through your fingertips and up your forearms, thanks to the G Pro.

Basically, few console gamers have ever felt immersion like this before. With the right kit in your mitts, and on your melon, one can truly slip into the car of their dreams. Better yet — and speaking from personal (best improving) experience — this kind of setup provides an edge to turn sectors purple like never before.

Back to top

Adam Mathew is more car than man now. Thanks to PlayStation and Logitech for providing the hardware.

Author: Adam Mathew. [Source Link (*), IGN All]

Shop with us!