i think "you NEED to play the first 7 games in the series before picking up the new one or you're missing out!!!!" is one of the most foolish and commonly repeated things in video games spaces. it IS possible to go back and play older games for more context after playing a new one, don't gatekeep people from playing the game they actually wanna play!
yes, starting from the latest game and going backwards can make the old games feel "bad" sometimes, but that's ok
remember how TV used to just be on when it was on? and we would miss episodes all the time? maybe you'd start a show in season 2? it's FINE
yes you might get more out of a thing with context, but like, you can also replay the newer games again if you want to re-experience them with more knowledge
about Yakuza specifically, i played 0, Kiwami 1, Kiwami 2, and then skipped straight to 7 (Like a Dragon). and like, if you skipped ALL of the previous games i think you'd still be fine.
plot summaries exist on wikipedia and for popular games there's copious "what you need to know" videos on youtube.
