Consequences For Dying in MCD2

The game feels VERY easy.

1. Dying does not currently bear consequences. 
It is very easy to die, then TP right back to where you left off. There is no setback. In MCD1, you'd lose level progression, and have to restart the whole level. -- While, in this game, you just continue as if nothing happened. There is no cost or time-lost for underperforming.

2. Dying should delete the gear that you are wearing.
I feel like a good idea would be, that if you die, you lose the gear that you have equiped. This way players would have incentive to stock up on multiple builds. Maybe a "home base chest" could hold your extra items, too? It would help replayability.

3.
Hardcore mode. Pls.