Nier is worth it because it's distinct, original, and complete in its vision if rough in technical performance and design. Its unconventional juggling of design tropes and genre shifts combined with a overwhelmingly melancholic narrative elevates it well above its faults. And while it does occasionally fall into the trap of localisation issues for the narrative, the conceptualisation and themes, along with the directed production, provide soundtrack, cast, and scenario that much like the game design are unlike most everything else on the market.
What I personally seek with all creative works is emotional resonance, and a large part of that is individuality and surprise. To experience something, no matter what it is, that startles and surprises is also likely to deeply engage me at the very least in curiosity. Nier is far from perfect but it most definitely the aforementioned; utterly unique and odd, yet authentic in commitment to its vision. It's earnest and honest, wears its emotional themes on its sleeve, and sees through the team's journey to completion no matter the technical and production faults.
I went into it deeply cynical about the then state of traditional Japanese role playing games, and it immediately become one of my favourite games of all time.
You might as well just buy it new, which is only a dollar or two extra. I'm just not convinced I need the game that badly.
