Video games have become one of the most valuable and popular entertainment mediums around. Technology has progressed to such a massive extent that these games feature amazing stories that meld brilliantly with gameplay to form some unique and interesting gaming experiences. The fact that these titles don't need to be chained by the binds of reality certainly helps.
As a result, there are times when video games go all out when it comes to creating certain fantastical characters with amazing backstories of their own. Sometimes, the history of these characters stretches back so far that they easily become thousands of years old, if not more. The most notable examples of characters that fit within this context are mentioned below.
8 Asura (Asura's Wrath)
Asura's Wrath features one of the angriest video game protagonists of all time, and the experience becomes all the more engaging for it. This title attempted to make an interactive anime and was pretty successful in this regard, even if it relied a bit too heavily on quick-time events to make its set pieces more cinematic.
Pretty much every deity is more than ten thousand years old, including Asura himself. Watching this angry man seek out his revenge is a blast, and it's a shame that this game isn't available on modern consoles.
7 Kane (Command & Conquer)
Command & Conquer is one of the best strategy titles that players can check out. The games feature a unique futuristic setting that makes everything from managing economies to conducting warfare an absolute blast, especially when it comes to the great campaign of these titles.
It turns out that Kane is actually an alien life form who landed on Earth thousands of years ago and wants to attain Ascension through any means possible. The sheer level of terror he induces in the world of Command & Conquer makes him one of the most iconic antagonists of all time.
6 Vanille (Final Fantasy 13-2)
Final Fantasy 13 isn't a game that many people are fond of. That being said, there's no denying that the story of this title was still pretty engaging in its own right once players managed to power through the initial few chapters.
There are many characters in the game with unique backstories of their own, with Vanille being one such character who is quite old despite her young appearance since she was stuck in crystal stasis for centuries. She gains another age boost by the time the sequel rolls out, with her age reaching a whopping 1019 years old.
5 Flemeth (Dragon Age)
Morrigan is a great character in her own right, so it's only a given that her mother would be just as memorable. Flemeth doesn't disappoint in this regard, with her presence as a High Dragon being quite captivating in its own right.
Even if players choose to kill this creature, it turns out that she's actually the vessel of the elven goddess Myrthal, which implies that she's been around for thousands of years. It's an incredible revelation that cements Flemeth as one of the best long-lasting characters in gaming.
4 Dagoth Ur (The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind)
The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind was one of Bethesda's biggest successes and propelled this studio to the realm of superstardom. Taking on the role of the Nevevarine is a blast and thrusts players into an epic journey that is full to the brim with memorable stories and awe-inspiring battles.
The final battle in Morrowind takes place against Dagoth Ur himself, an Ash Vampire who played a major role throughout the game's story. He tapped into the Heart of Lorkhan to become a god and has been around for around four thousand years when the game starts.
3 Sovereign (Mass Effect)
Mass Effect is one of the greatest gaming sci-fi franchises of all time, and it's easy to see why this is the case. The story across all three games is quite engaging, with the advent of the Reapers serving as a major wake-up call for the universe.
The first Reaper that players interact with is Sovereign, whose plans end up being quite chilling and set the tone for the rest of the series. The fact that players still remember the memorable conversation they had with Sovereign proved just how imposing the threat of the Reapers really was.
2 Raiden (Mortal Kombat)
Gods are an easy choice for a list talking about characters who have lived for thousands of years. As a result, it's easy to see why the Thunder God Raiden makes this list, with this character being a mainstay of the Mortal Kombat series since his inclusion in the very first game.
Using his shocking powers to fry enemies is always a blast, with Raiden's imposing presence making him a force to be reckoned with. The protector of Earthrealm never rests on his laurels and has helped his companions get stronger by guiding them whenever they needed a helping hand.
1 Judd The Cat (Splatoon)
Most people wouldn't really look at Splatoon when trying to find characters who have stayed alive for thousands of years. However, even in such an innocuous game, Nintendo has managed to add a fair bit of interesting lore that fans will love to uncover.
Most matches in the game are judged by the cleverly-named Judd the Cat, who has apparently been judging these bouts for two thousand years. It's a random but interesting fact that die-hard Splatoon fans would love to know about.