A light airplane doesn't have the thrust to weight, speed, and acceleration of a jet aircraft. So it's better than a simulator but the inability to generate the acceleration of an airliner on a G/A makes it a poor comparison.
Worst vertigo was a light weight, night, 757 ferry flight LGA-JFK. Max power for windshear in the area(SOP). LGA 13. Tremendous acceleration. Right turn to 175 immediately after liftoff. In the turn tower changes it to left to 060 and level off at 2000'. In the turn, leveling, power coming back, unloading from high rate of climb ... and we go into the clouds ... and moderate turbulence. Bam! Perfect storm. Vertigo. Big time. SOP is to call it out "I've got vertigo". FO - "I do too."
Tough stuff when you're fighting it. Experience and training is key.