Hmmm mixed views then I'm getting the game Friday and wondering if I should go hardcoe more the first play through. I like the idea that you have to constantly try to keep you character alive, but worried that it's going to be the kind of mode where enemies need several shots to the head to be killed, find it makes the game kind of silly. I'm also worried that it's going to make the game take too long, to the point travelling, constantly becoming overclumbered, travelling back and forth to get healed after every encounter is just going to make the game tedious.
Honestly, it's not like that. Atleast not for me. It may not have me set on the edge of panic every second afraid that I'm going to die, but it's fun. It makes you plan ahead. Can't manage to carry out all that gear with you to the next town? Sell it, drop it, whatever. You get hurt and get two crippled limbs in the middle of the dessert? Sure, you can fast travel back to town real quick, but that's no fun. I just kept pressing on, slowly limping down the high way, unable to use a two handed weapon without missing 9 our of 10 times, low on food, dehydrated, and with night coming on fast. It's fun, and when you finally do manage to get to a town and figure out a way to get yourself all patched up, find yourself some water and food, and find a nice bed to sleep in it's very rewarding.