Your adventure begins in the Imperial Capital, Zaphias. Yuri Lowell, a former Imperial Knight, is investigating the theft of the Lower Quarter's Aque Blastia. This initial chapter introduces you to the game's world, its characters, and the core conflict. Pay attention to the tutorials that pop up, as they explain fundamental mechanics. Don't rush through, as there are many NPCs to talk to and initial side quests to discover even at this early stage.
While Tales of Vesperia utilizes a traditional TP-based system for artes, Tales of Graces f later evolved the series' combat by introducing the stamina-focused CC mechanic.