If you’re a regular reader of the site, you’ve no doubt discovered our not so secret love for all things Harmonix. That’s why, up until now, Rock Band was at the top of my list for most anticipated games this fall. Don’t let that last sentence fool you - I’m still excited as all get out and definitely picking it up the day it hits. But now that I’ve gone hands on with it? I’ll be honest with you - it’s not everything that everyone has been making it sound to be.

My nitpickiness is going to focus on one thing and one thing alone — the drums. They’re the only thing I played and the only thing I cared about. I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, and although the full sized guitars looked sweet they’ve still got a “been there, done that” feel in my mind. So for me, Rock Band has always been about the drums. They could have just named it “Jim’s Drum Simulator” and it would have been just as accurate a title. Hit the jump for both still and moving images of me humiliating myself.

So what’s my issue with the drums? There are a few things. First — and this could just have easily been the setup, so I’m not completely blaming the game for this one — lag. Everything seemed half a second off — just enough to fuck things up, but not enough to make you feel like you don’t suck. After speaking with a number of people on the X07 floor it seems everyone would agree: the drums were lag-ridden.

Beyond the lag I had a few issues with the peripheral itself. Not only were the pads too small (I found myself hitting the rim more often than the pad) but the stand seemed a little more wobbly than I would have liked. It’s not like it would have blown over with a light wind, but I don’t think it would have survived me flopping down on my couch next to it like an asshole either.

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The biggest issue though? That would have to be the pedal. As awesome as it was (if not a little rough to get used to), the damned thing was torqued up so tight that by the end of our third straight encore of Won’t Get Fooled Again I’d felt like I’d been stabbed in the meat stand. I call it that because my knowledge of biology is minimal, and asides from “leg” I don’t really know how to describe where it hurt.

It’s going to take a little practice to get used to Rock Band’s drum peripheral, but in the end I think it’s going to be well worth it. Still, you should take the above mentioned issues into consideration if you’re thinking about picking one of these bad boys up. Just remember: you’re not Keith Moon.