Platformer games have been very scarce in recent years, but there lay in history some choice series that made great attempts to keep the genre alive, and that much can be said especially for the duo of Jak and Daxter. Created by the game development company Naughty Dog, (same company behind Crash Bandicoot and the Uncharted series) a man and his ottsel friend are paired together in a search for their world's energy known as Eco while fighting off oppressive forces and saving their world. But behind every great hero (besides his egotistical sidekick) is a woman. Without her, Jak and Daxter wouldn't have gotten far thanks to her inventions, not to mention they would be two very lonely adventurers. So keep your furry friends close and your mechanics even closer, she is Keira Hagai.
Beginning with the first game in 2001, Keira has been a consummate part of the series as a whole, specializing in mechanics with vehicles and weapons that have aided Jak and Daxter as long as they got her the power cells needed to operate them. She is the daughter of Samos Hagai and has been in just about every J&D game that's ever been released, even if in one game it was for a mere appearance. Keira has been the main squeeze of Jak for the longest time, even during the period when Jak was a mute. This didn't stop the boisterous Daxter from making a pass at her multiple times, to which she would aptly reply that she "doesn't date animals." Through it all, aside from her times in the workshop, Keira is never far from the side of Jak and Daxter in their multiple struggles.
Keira had also begun turning more heads in Jak II, when after a two year imprisonment of Jak had her run out to become a worker for the Haven City stadium. There, she befriended Erol, a champion racer who was secretly working for Baron Praxis and his exposure of Jak to Dark Eco. He had flirted with her and intended to win her heart before Jak re-emerged, which lead to a race between the two with Jak victorious. Erol furiously attempted to kill Jak with his car, only to drive into a large amount of Dark Eco, supposedly killing him. Aside from Daxter's prattle, this wouldn't be the only other time someone else laid eyes on Keira as she was also fondly looked at by Captain Phoenix in "The Lost Frontier." But in his case, he also dies, if only due to him sacrificing himself in an airship battle to stop "The Phantom Blade" from using Eco. It seems that Jak and Keira are the only ones destined for one another, which they sealed with a kiss twice now without Daxter's interruptions.
Of course not all of Keira's talents are with machines, as she sets out to become a Sage (a channeler of Eco) in The Lost Frontier. She always had a sense of confidence and charisma that had other Sages thinking she could be one of them. Although she almost lost herself in terms of personality when Jak got imprisoned for two years, which is probably a sign that she's almost nothing without him. But his reapearrance brought her back to Keira feet, and by the time all was said and done in The Lost Frontier, she was able to channel Eco by herself. She has yet to be named an official sage though, but the ending got players thinking that she was well on her way, evidenced by her continuing going along with Jak and Daxter on adventures for more Eco sources.
It's been almost three years since Jak, Daxter, and Keira have been out on an adventure again, although all three recently made an appearance in one form or another in the "Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale" game with Jak and Daxter being involved physically while Keira is seen in the "Sandover Village" stage. So they're definitely not gone or forgotten, although there is word that the series as a whole may be in for an altogether reboot, with no known certainty if that happens. Until that day comes, there's still plenty admiration for everything that all things Jak and Daxter have given to gaming, that includes Keira. Even if she doesn't hold out high among other lovable women of games, she was vital to every aspect of Jak and Daxter both as a character and eye candy to loyal players. Good with tools, better with magic energy, and flirtatious to boot, Keira carried all the qualifications to make her the video game babe for all ages.
This is Greg P., examining video game babes for you and me.
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