Played both games, XCOM:EU and XCOM 2.



When playing XCOM 2, I downloaded a mod called MOCX, which essentially allows me to face an enemy of specialized troops whose look and customization I can control.



From there, I headcannon'd that my beloved squad from the first game had been converted to serve the will of the Big Bad in the second game, leading to many climactic confrontations between my old characters and these new bloods.