Title says it all.

*POTENTIAL SPOILERS*

Beat the game on Survival a few years ago, and decided to come back to it. This time, I'd play on PC (last time was PS4) with all the updates installed, and try for Hardcore mode to make it a bit more tense.

I took my time. Built a decent base in the intersection between Grand Reef/Kelp Forest/Sparse Reef/Crags/Grassy Plateau, on a nice thermal vent. Got all the suit upgrades up to Reinforced. Scanned everything I could, including leviathans - all I needed was a Stasis Rifle and some courage. I got a Reaper, Warpers, Crabquid, Bonesharks, Adult Ghostie, Baby Ghostie, Crashfish, basically everything this way. I made sure I always had 3 protein bars, 3 water bottles, and 3 medkits on me at all times, plus a spare airtank and the statis rifle on hotkey, just in case.

I moved into the Lost River, and built a base at the Cove Tree - never done that before, it's a great spot. Got 2 moonpools, one elevated for the Seamoth, and brought all my vehicles down there. Hatched a few eggs, including a Cuddlefish, which I'd never seen before.

Then I took a trip into the Inactive Lava Zone in my Prawn to get some Kyanite. Got all I needed, and heard an awesome roar really close - looked up, and there's a Sea Dragon. I'd only ever seen one in my previous playthrough, in the Lava Lakes, so this was new. It turned its head and started heading toward me. I figured this was my chance to get the scan, so I loaded my rifle, exited the prawn, and sent a shot right at its face - but it had shot first. Looked like a single fireball, but it moved too fast to dodge.

Game over.

Oooof. This hurts. I'd been playing it nonstop, addicted to getting a little farther each time and shoring up my bases and just really fully interacting with the world as much as I could. I feel like I need to try again to get that achievement, but whew...I think I'll need a break first.