While the game features frequent action, the novel only describes protagonist Artyom firing a weapon on no more than three occasions.
Metro 2033 was completely remade from the ground up with an improved version of Last Light's engine called Metro 2033 Redux for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. This Redux contains completely redone graphics, new character models, improved lighting, improved animations, extended levels (along with some new areas in some levels), redone in-game cutscenes, and a locked 60fps frame rate on consoles. All of the new mechanics introduced in Last Light have been brought over to Metro 2033 as well such as stealth kills/knockouts, weapon customization, and the mask wipe. Many of the original voice-overs though are still used while a few were re-recorded, and the original opening and ending pre-rendered cutscenes are also still used.
Scattered throughout the game are copies of the Metro 2033 novel that the game is based on.