Like the others have said, if the death is meaningful and makes sense I'm more OK with the death. That said, I prefer it when there's an option to keep the companion alive, if through an extra quest or something.

There are other ways to make the story dramatic. Companions are suppose to be there so that we can call on them anytime we want to. If one of them dies with a script it's one less option to think about.
If the story requires someone to be killed, it rather be a named npc instead of a fully interactive character so to speak.
A scripted death for a companion is a waste.

I play in hardcore mode only when companion stay in safe place. Because in most of cases his death is not because of strong enemies of something, and just because of imperfect gameplay. Almost in all cases he dies (actually, just faints because, as I said, I don't use hardcore mode when he is with me) when he is like idiot step on a mine or when his ass is straight on the way of my bullets. >_>

If companions death caused by their storyline - that is another story. x)

Allnarta wrote:

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I know what you mean. For me its challenge, to keep my frends alive. But i don´t use "load" if one of them is dead, if one is dead i get a other one and try to keep him alife. Can remember my first loss. Cass was headshoted by a Protectron..... what a shame. >_<

If the character has a full, well rounded story arc, their deaths are sad, but understandable. I'm okay with that. I can accept it. If I really love the character, I may still look for alternative ways to keep them alive, even if it's not canonical. But I will respect the canon.

If it's something like the way Arcade abandons you after you complete his quest, then no. That has always bugged me about Arcade's story. "I'm sorry, but I have to go now, and never return until 5 mins before the end of the game". Seriously? WHY?

It's kinda like Legion's death. "I'm sorry Shepard, my people need me for some reason. *dies*"

It is cheap. A well constructed character death will make you sad and mad. A bad one will just make you mad and roll your eyes.

I am in favor of realism. Especially since I sometimes get bored companions, so if anyone of them die, I will not mind) I usually collect them all in 38 lakes and visit sometimes, change clothes. They have me as a walking Manica) But the big battle could take them all and we like tough guys blow up all in a row)