So, to kind of encompass what Im interested in discussing, in most rpgs, killing tends to be a very simple act. Nameless guard charges you, you cut him down, he suddenly fades into nothingness. But I guess the question is, for more experienced GMs and roleplayers, do you believe killing should be relatively simple to ease the player's ability to connect with the game, or should it a much heavier subject to kind of make players feel like they're in a deeper, more realistic world? As well, do you feel like sadistic acts of violence, like torture, or rape, should exist for the gritty sense of realism?

I have many thoughts on the subject but I'd love to hear some responses first.