Everything You Need to Know About the Yakuza Series - Playing the Legendary Game in a Better Environment

Have you all seen it?

Recently, the 2nd teaser trailer for the 8th entry of the Yakuza Series was released.
This popular game series, which began in 2005, has now reached its 8th main entry, and if you include side stories, Kiwami, and spin-offs, it has become a massive number of series. As of 2023, with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth coming out in 2024, the series will be entering its 19th year, approaching its 20th anniversary. It’s truly a nostalgic milestone.
Here’s the first teaser trailer, which encapsulates the essence of its world perfectly.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Teaser Trailer

The fact that Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga, who joined the family in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, are the main characters in the latest title is exciting for fans. Kiryu’s gray hair, showing his age, is also very cool and adds to his charm as a man’s man.

And here’s the recently released 2nd teaser trailer. Could it be set somewhere overseas?

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - 2nd Teaser Trailer

Kasuga is wandering around a place that seems tropical, full of mysteries. So far, the confirmed platforms are Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. The battle system retains the RPG-style elements from Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

By the way, the theme of this post is “Everything You Need to Know About the Yakuza Series.” Yes, this is for those who have heard of this game title but don’t really know much about it. (Note: This article contains a bit of spoilers from Yakuza 0 to Yakuza: Like a Dragon.)

What is the Yakuza Series?

The Yakuza is an action-adventure game series where you fight enemies and progress through various events while freely moving around the city. The game is primarily set in a fictional district called Kamurocho. As you wander around the city, you encounter different people, triggering events and solving problems as you go. In battle scenes, you can perform moves by combining button presses, and as the heat gauge fills up, you can unleash even more powerful techniques.
In the previous game, an RPG-like summoning feature was added, allowing you to deliver strong allies, enhancing the action part of the game. The game’s godly aspects are its beautiful graphics, appealing characters, and well-structured storyline.

Plot

The main setting is the Tojo Clan, a large organization that unites the yakuza in Kanto. Kiryu belongs to the Dojima Family, one of the groups within the Tojo Clan. Various incidents occur here, and the game progresses as you enjoy the human drama and unravel mysteries.

I’m going to introduce the two protagonists mentioned earlier and some key characters.

Kazuma Kiryu

The protagonist since Yakuza 1. He served a 10-year prison sentence in place of his friend. Throughout many series titles, he has become the former 4th chairman of the Tojo Clan. Known as the legendary yakuza, he is a man of few words but has a strong sense of duty and honor. Despite leaving the yakuza and moving to the countryside, he keeps getting involved in various incidents. He has a dragon tattoo on his back.

Ichiban Kasuga

The protagonist from the 7th title, Yakuza: Like a Dragon. He is a former member of the Arakawa Family and served an 18-year sentence in place of someone else. When he was released, he found a changed world. Despite his past, he is a bright, friendly, and straightforward person. He loves Dragon Quest and has an afro hairstyle due to a botched perm. He has a dragon fish tattoo on his back.

Goro Majima

He is a character beloved by fans, once ranking first in popularity polls. In the prequel Yakuza 0, he showcased his talents in club management, excelling in business. Though initially portrayed as a loyal and considerate man, he becomes unpredictable and dangerous from the first game onward.

Akira Nishikiyama

He is a former member of the Dojima Family who became the head of the Nishikiyama Family. He is Kazuma Kiryu’s best friend. Although he falls into darkness for certain reasons and dies early in the series, the same voice actor plays Ichiban Kasuga, delighting long-time fans with this clever choice.

Daigo Dojima

He is the son of the Dojima Family’s head and he also once served as Kiryu’s protégé. After much growth, he became the 6th chairman of the Tojo Clan.

Each installment features rich characters and intricately portrays the lives of men in the underworld. The cleverly planted storylines and their resolutions are remarkable. The series also includes spin-offs set in the Bakumatsu era (Like a Dragon: Ishin!) and those involving zombies (Yakuza: Dead Souls), offering great variety. A spin-off of Yakuza: Like a Dragon is also set for release this fall, adding to the anticipation. Detailed information on Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is yet to be released, but future announcements are eagerly awaited.

Playing in a Better Environment

Now, let’s talk about setting up a better gaming environment to play this legendary game. If you haven’t played the past titles or the spin-offs, now is a good time to start.

First up is the gaming chair.

PLAYTECH / PGC10RE Gaming Chair (Black x Red)

This chair offers a great balance of comfort and support at an affordable price. It’s a cost-effective option from PLAYTECH. Choosing the right chair is crucial, and if you’re unsure, this is a good starting point.

Sound is another important element. Nowadays, many people play video games connected to a computer rather than directly to a TV. However, monitor speakers for computers often seem designed with a just good enough mindset. Great games deserve great sound. So, I recommend these speakers.

Fostex / PM0.4c B

If you’re unsure which monitor speakers to get, these are recommended.
The rear panel is simple, requiring no complicated controls; just connect and play. The sound is clear and well-positioned, suitable for both listening and music production. I’ve been using the previous model, PM0.4d, for nearly 10 years without any trouble. This successor model should be excellent in both performance and durability.

For those who are concerned about noise for family or neighbors

audio technica / ATH-M50x Closed-Back Monitor Headphones (Black)

While the MDR-CD900ST is a staple monitor headphone model in Japan, the ATH-M50x is a standard product overseas.
I’ve been using this model since the M50 version, and I’m on my third set due to their reliability.
The sound separation and positioning are excellent, making them great for both monitoring and listening.

There are many more items that can enhance your gaming setup, so feel free to explore and find what suits you best.