It was built from the ground using a new engine

I'll leave this with you https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2020/06/07/monolith-soft-and-nintendo-explain-how-xenoblade-chronicles-definitive-edition-came-to-the-switch/?sh=520972c86210 read it and let me know your thoughts re remake or remaster

Y'all like to complain about EVERYTHING.

When you buy a VHS, do you demand a free DVD and/or Blu-Ray copy? Nope!
When you buy a book, do you demand the second edition version with the new cover and an added epilogue? Nope!
When you buy a TV, do you immediately go back to the seller to demand this year's model? Nope!
When you buy a Car...okay, sometimes there are very specific options but generally, you don't get this year's model without a special monthly fee.

So why do you all seem to think you're entitled to every version of a game after release? You paid for a product, you got that product. If they change the product for future releases, you're not entitled to it. This is really not as big a deal as you all seem to think. Gamers just like bitching about things and feel entitled to everything.

" we kept finding specifications in the source code that not even the original staff members knew about or had since forgotten."

This is so relatable 

Looks like a remake for me. Use a new engine, new assets for characters models (not only improving the already existing assets, but actually creating new ones), new menus, and have most of the core programming rewritten

This is just the old argument if you replace every plank on a boat is it still the same boat. While it is running on a new engine with new models and improved environment geometry and a lot of QOL changes. Yeah animations are the same. The game still feels pretty much the same but they also redid the music.

Nintendo kept the frame but redid everything else. It's a refit. Not a remaster as far too much work was done for that. Not a full on remake as it kept some old code. It's a refit or a remodel.

For people like me who buy these games the first time around and keep them (as well as the hardware to play them on), the whole re-lease craze/trend has really been a drag. I like new experiences and new games. Also, even if you made them director's cuts, I still wouldn't be interested because I only care about the original version. I suppose that makes me somewhat OCD, but that's how I like to play things: pure. OOT? I play it on an actual N64 via CRT. SMB3? Same deal. Cart, NES console and CRT. So for me, a super HD, director's cut with changed aspect ratios, new scores, characters, voice-over's and whatever... it just isn't the same. 

They at the end called it a remaster and mentioned that the reason they thought xenoblade chronicle gamers would love it was because they drew a line in the sand when it came to changes.

Directors Cut are remasters. Just another term for it. GOTY Editions, Definitive Edition, Ultimate Edition etc etc.

It's not rocket science a remake is exactly what the name implies .

Not sure I agree, a remaster doesn't have new content a director's cut as we also see in movies has. Zelda Skyward and Mario Kart DX are a prime example of remasters. Whilst Ghost of Tsushima director's cut and Super Mario 3D world are prime examples of Director cuts/Goty/Ultimate editions. Usually the latter has extra content but it's not something new, but it would be nice if every game w company ports for full price would at least have new content also.