Keepers is a weekly segment in which I discuss the games that I’ve seen fit to keep after playing. I’m a self proclaimed pack-rat and collector, but if I ever had to sell my gaming collection to feed my family these are the games I’d hang onto. If my wife let me, anyway.

I never realized it until I played this game, but I’m a sucker for SRPGs. I’ve always had a soft spot for turn-based RPGs but the slightly puzzle like structure and chess piece maneuvering of a good SRPG will keep me utterly enthralled. Jeanne D’Ac was actually the first game I bought for my shiny new PSP two years ago, and thankfully I got enough quality gameplay out of it to tide me over during the initial lull in games the little system suffered at launch.

Jeanne D’Arc had all the hallmarks of a good RPG: the underdog heroine fighting for all that is good and pure, the wolfish rogue destined to win her heart, the loyal warrior protecting her back, etc. However, this game tossed up a few unexpected twists that really kept me pushing through to see how the story would unfold. And all along the way it did so with excellent hand drawn graphics, some sweet anime style cutscenes, and still some of the best SRPG battles I’ve ever played. I still replay this little handheld gem, there is an entire post-completion dungeon to finish with über gear and a special unlockable character, whom I really missed when I lost her in the main storyline. Whenever I travel with my PSP, this game travels with me.