It's been years since the aliens invaded and I still haven't figured out how to even pick up a pistol. My favorite things to do are hide out in the open and run directly at the aliens when they fire at me. If possible i stand right next to them so my chance of getting hit by friendly fire are as high as possible.
I thought most of the civilians were unaware of the alien attacking in XCOM? Like all of that was covered up by the world governments or something.
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I wouldn't call it a retcon really. You can view the latter half of the first game as the aliens capturing you and putting you in a simulation.