Yes there are ton of “engagement, traversal and range differences” amongst them but what is the frequency of these being used across the maps? Definitely much much lower than simply using the more protected sidelanes with convenient LoS breaks.
For example, how often do you see players choose to jump down their side of the buildings and clamber up the market stalls in the middle of Bazaar, as opposed to them simply taking the sidelane where thePower Weapon or Power Equipment spawns?
How often do you see players actively choose to position themselves in the middle of Aquarius where the Power Equipment spawns, vs skirmishing in the side rooms?
How often do you see players choose to utilize the Batteries of Livewire as cover vs using the dreaded Oddball camping hallway or the alcove which spawns a BR/Commando overlooking the Batteries?
All the answers for the above questions are : Situational.
Long story short, the maps are all designed to have a “false-open” middle, creating a circular arena with a no-go zone in the middle. It’s just so disadvantageous to go into the middle for all the Arena maps I’ve mentioned that it unintentionally makes all these maps PLAY SIMILARLY.
If you wanna talk about upside down claims, your claim that the maps are “fine” is pretty lobsided. They definitely aren’t fine, if not people will be content playing Halo Infinite just for the gameplay experience. But you play all these maps over and over, and get that same subconcious experience, which leads to people getting sick of it and leaving.