A couple of things to remember too.
When a PC dies, typically the new PC doesn't come in at 1st level. ((Yes, yes, I know some people play this way, but, I think it's fair to say that most don't.)) You don't really come in at the beginning, you simply come with a new character that joins the group in progress.
This, of course, doesn't work if you have a
TPK.
Secondly, most CRPG's don't have a mechanic for someone else to cast Raise Dead on you. You die in an MMORPG and start back at your home town. You die in most CRPG's and you just die. There's no way for someone else to save you if you die. In PnP RPG's, particularly D&D, being Raised is not terribly difficult beyond about 5th level.
Again, ignoring
TPK's. And, to me, the threat of a
TPK is one of the few ways you can truly "lose" in D&D. Otherwise, you come back with a new PC or get Raised. I don't mind having a fairly (hopefully) rare lose condition in the game. It makes success that much better.
And yet another word from our sponsors
