The Most Iconic Voice Lines from Real-Time Strategy (RTS) Games

“Kirov Reporting” The Most Iconic Voice Lines In Real-Time Strategy (RTS) History

Voice lines are essential to a great real-time strategy (RTS) game. They help with gameplay by confirming actions like unit selections and issued orders, and by keeping players informed about what’s happening, even if they aren’t actively focused on the screen. But the truly best RTS games also use voice lines to give units and characters personality.

Video games are full of iconic voice lines – think of Scorpion’s famous “Get Over Here!” or the chilling warnings from G-Man. Sometimes, a single line can define an entire game. This list focuses on the best voice lines specifically from real-time strategy (RTS) games. To keep things balanced, I’ve limited it to one line per game – otherwise, series like Stronghold and StarCraft 2 would likely take over the whole list. Consider this list just for fun, and feel free to share your own favorites in the comments!

10 – Total War: Shogun 2: “Shameful display!”

Total War: Shogun 2 is widely considered one of the greatest strategy games of all time, and it’s a personal favorite of mine. Despite its serious tone, players immediately noticed the hilariously stereotypical Japanese delivery of the line “shameful display!” This quickly became a popular meme in the early 2010s, right up there with other gaming classics like Skyrim’s “I used to be an adventurer like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee.”

9 – Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War- Definitive Edition – “Walk softly, and carry a big gun”

Gabriel Angelos, a key leader in the classic real-time strategy game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, is a powerful and imposing figure on the battlefield. He’s known for his booming voice and memorable lines, such as “I command in the name of the Emperor!” and “He who stands with me shall be my brother.” Perhaps the best description of him comes from the line, “walk softly, and carry a big gun” – a truly cool sentiment that perfectly captures his character, wielding a massive warhammer.

8 – Commandos – “Alarm!”

It’s often said you can’t ‘hear’ pictures, but I think you absolutely can when it comes to the game Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines. Just show me a screenshot, and I immediately hear the soldiers responding: “Yes, sir!”, “Consider it done,” and other confirmations, always with a strangely emphatic “sir” – it’s hard to tell if they’re respectful or just reluctantly obeying. While those lines are frequent throughout the game, hearing the word “Alarm!” – shouted with a distinct German accent – is guaranteed to make any Commandos player anxious. That sound means either your mission just became incredibly difficult, or your entire team has been discovered and you have to start over. It brings back so many memories!

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2025-11-13 17:43