Oh, yeah. Predictable deaths usually are disappointing. The funny thing is that DPC already stated the same thing won't happen at BADIK, so it is making people curious about what is going to happen. Something most people would predict based on his last game (death - or at least, killing) is already a no go.
I'm betting on character's going through desperation, depression and mental breakdown. This is something that can hit really close to home. As someone that have gone through depression after losing my mother and still taking some antidepressant pills, I know how it can affect people.
The thing I don't like about DPC is what I feel like is the overuse of cliffhangers. Almost all his versions end with a cliffhanger. Cliffhangers are good when done right, overused, they can become pretty boring.