This is what I'm talking about. Just plain awful stupid dumb.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSUGzNKfCaw
Ah...ok.
Yes, I remember that sequence, and I agree it was fairly difficult. I had to reload a few times there, but it wasn't as hard to me as some parts of the Library were.
I think I was confused by you calling it an "escort mission", since to me it was more of a co-op thing. That NPC did die quite easily though as I recall.
I'm looking forward to a replay when I have time, but I might wait until after my next system upgrade. I hate when I can't run a game at max settings, and Metro is one of the few games I can't do that with. I also want to try for the alternate ending on my next playthrough.