Here's the simplest quick answer I have regarding "is it worth it." This is just one example of independent research vetting that it is indeed promising. The math checks out.
And it still does not answer how the construction and running costs are calculated.
Only if those are as low as claimed (which I highly doubt) something like this might be feasible.
This tech just does not scale well.
Digging holes is stupid expensive. Moving giant masses is not trivial and to double the storage capacity you need twice the weight or twice the height.
The energy density is way too low.
The only thing run by weights have been those old grandfather clocks. And even there the weights got replaced by springs and in the end batteries.