I think they're very different, I see AI Archon D and AI Firebat D as closer, and between the two I prefer AI Firebat D.
Although I understand not having tried several of the maps, I think that ignoring entire genres is a bit weird.
Battlecraft:
Battlecraft Rogue-X
Battlecraft Paradigm Finale
Battlecraft Paradigm 157
Of the three, the most popular is certainly Rogue-X; and if you're looking to try a battlecraft map, it's the one I'd start with. Although "Paradigm 157" is the most recent from that series, I dislike some of the new triggers, so I tend to favor the older (but less well-triggered) Finale. But any of these three are better than Inferno or fastblack or fastwhite or any of the really bad or rigged versions that can really rub some people the wrong way.
Hero RPG:
Aeon of Strife v2007
Star Wars AotR ChAoS
Dynasty Warrios - New Age
Impossible Dragoon
These are somewhat close to the X-men RPG, but Aeon of Strife v2007 is much more difficult than probably any other map on this list. AotR and Aeon of Strife are both similar to DotA (I think they inspired DotA actually) but Aeon of Strife v2007 is way harder. Star Wars AotR is basically DotA. It might seem weird to include Impossible Dragoon in this list, but imo Impossible Dragoon actually has more in common with these maps than with the Impossible Maps I list next.
The appeal here is similar to most rpgs, but with the difference that each also includes a "defense" element, or in AotR's case, pvp.
"Impossible" Maps:
Impossible Confluence
Impossible Choice (already featured I think)
Impossbile Confluence has some similar elements to Impossible Choice, in the sense that 2 of the three "directions" or sub-maps you play have elements of choosing or buying your heroes. The difference is that Impossible Confluence is the only map I've seen that implements "Random Hero Pick" which is just a fascinating concept that lends itself to awesome replay value. Even if you don't like Impossible Maps, I honestly think the triggers for this map should be respected for excellent execution.
Lotrish:
LotR - RoS RH
LotR - SD CPU Gold RH!
SoG RH Absolute OR LotR SoG RH X
Lotrish maps are some of the most fascinating maps out there, with their fusion of hero wars, rpgs, and strategy. The current favorite of the genre is "Sog RH Absolute", but I know from experience that if you haven't played Lotrish or SoG before the whole thing can be quite intimidating. SoG here stands for "Siege of Gondor". The map is 4v2: Gondor, Rohan, The Elves, and the Fellowship face off against Mordor and Harad.
The Alliance (Gondor, Rohan, Elves, Fellowship) win if a) Sauron (goliath) and Barad-dur (greater spire) are killed at the same time. If either is killed alone, it respawns once. OR, if Frodo brings the ring (data disc) to Mt. Doom (Khaydarin Crystal inside Mordor's base).
Mordor wins if Gondor loses all 4 of its special buildings: Osgiliath (Assimilator), Mt. Erech (Crashed BC), Minas Tirith (Protoss Temple) and Dol Amroth (Psi Disruptor).
Each player has special buildings (Except fellowship) which, if they stay alive, spawn units on a timer. These spawns become more powerful when the player completes "castles" (usually an academy, a nexus, a hatchery, or a queen's nest) that take 5-10 minutes to complete.
Each player also has heroes that they can use to kill enemy bases before all the castles are complete.
The appeal here, once you get used to the genre, can be huge: it combines rpg, defense, strategy, and also introduces the gameplay element of "ops" or operations, where you use a hero to destroy an enemy base.
Again, if you need screenshots of one of these let me know.
None.