So, after liberal application of cheats to actually start fucking getting somewhere, I got a raptor. Saddled it etc.
The game fixed this transgression by spawning a non-glowing alpha raptor. They glow so you can identify them from a distance. Of course the game decided 'eh, fuck you.' and made one that FUCKING DIDN'T
I cheated in time to stop it killing me, but not in time to save my pet.
Ark
You know... I really think the game wants you and everyone dear to you dead at this point. I advise contacting the police for protection or sleeping with a gun, if you're in a place where that's legal.
I started the game again (tried the first game, but playing with one digit fps due to technical problems is suffering).
I heroically closed two of three basement shutters to keep out an army of krogan, vorcha and varrens.
Now, I needed to fight across a large, open room to close the last one.
I enter, instantly get shot so much I die, no questions.
Reload
This time, I mamage to get to cover and start stripping vorcha armour so I can abuse my biotic powers.
I see a varren, quickly shoot it in the head twice, before it goes on a flanking route. I decide it's no danger, I can just lift it or whatever and Tali's (modded game because something new) shotgun can probably annihilate it.
Back to the vorcha.
A minute later I get pushed out from cover, barrier stripped. The varren I shot has arrived. I reflexively launch a shockwave then concentrate on getting back to cover and pushing a vorcha that got too close back. I have the time, the shockwave will probably send the poor varren flying and knock it out for a few seconds.
Except it doesn't. The damn thing only trips from a lvl4 Improved Shockwave, then almost instantly attacks me.
I don't know if I died from the varren or from the assault rifle fire. But I died fast.
Mass Effect 2, Hardcore difficulty
Of all the missions, this is the one I remember dying on the most. Or at all.