Joel Franey
Joel Franey got his Bachelors in Creative Writing and Games Design from Brunel University in 2017, before going on to do a Masters in Creative and Critical Writing from Sussex University. During this time he also worked freelance in various gaming-related roles and professions, including design, PR, reviews and features, before eventually joining the guides team at USgamer and ReedPop in 2019. Since then, he has written professionally for numerous publications, including Gfinity Esports, Eurogamer, VG247, JellyDeals and Dicebreaker, in various capacities. These have involved, among other things, writing guides, news, features, reviews, and even working as an SEO consultant, restructuring and rewriting content for the purpose of increased online traffic. He eventually joined GamesRadar+ as a Guides Writer in 2021, with a focus on covering single player games and narrative games, though nonetheless regularly contributing to ongoing coverage of online gaming services and multiplayer properties, and has covered a variety of major AAA games in his time since then. In his spare time he is also a long-time fiction writer, having written books, screenplays and more besides in a variety of genres, and is the co-host and co-creator of the ongoing pop culture comedy podcast, "Margaret Thatcher, Templar Spy".
Latest articles by Joel Franey

Helldivers 2 best weapons tier list after the Escalation update
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Our Helldivers 2 weapon tier list takes the August 2024 update into account

Helldivers 2 TR-40 Golden Eagle armor explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The HD2 Golden Armor is an extra padded, higher protection option

Everything in the Helldivers 2 Freedom's Flame Warbond battle pass
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Is the Freedom's Flame Warbond in HD2 worth it? Here's what you're getting

How to summon NPCs in Elden Ring and use Spirit Ashes
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Summoning NPCs in Elden Ring in Elden Ring requires Ashes and the Spirit Calling Bell

How to get the horse in Elden Ring, Torrent
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Elden Ring horse, Torrent, is summoned through the "Spectral Steed Whistle"

What is the best keepsake in Elden Ring?
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide The best Keepsakes in Elden Ring provide permanent buffs

The best classes in Elden Ring
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide The best Elden Ring classes vary depending on skill, but spellcasters are powerhouses

10 Elden Ring secrets and hidden mechanics you (probably) didn't know
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Here's every secret gameplay mechanic Elden Ring is hiding

How to find and kill Helldivers 2 Scout Striders
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide There are two Scout Strider variants to bring down in Helldivers 2

11 Elden Ring tips and tricks that all players should know
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide These tips for Elden Ring will help the Tarnished beat bosses and find exciting secrets

The Ultimate Elden Ring guide to help players conquer the Lands Between
By Leon Hurley last updated
Guide Our Elden Ring guide will help players better master this enormous Soulsborne experience

How to find and kill the Helldivers 2 Impalers
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Impaler in Helldivers 2 is a giant Terminid Bug with three face tentacles

The best Helldivers 2 Stratagems and tier list
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best Helldivers 2 Stratagems and supports for combat

How to kill Helldivers 2 Chargers
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Killing Chargers in Helldivers 2 requires patience, speed and firepower

Secondary Objectives in Helldivers 2 explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Secondary objectives in Helldivers 2 are sometimes called optional objectives, shown as blue icons

All new enemies in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The new update for Helldivers 2 features the Impaler, Rocket Tank and more

Everything added in the Helldivers 2 Escalation of Freedom update
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Now live, the Escalation of Freedom has updated Helldivers 2 with brand new gameplay

All Enemies in Helldivers 2 and how to beat them
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Every enemy in Helldivers 2 and their weaknesses in combat

How to unlock Helldivers 2 Exosuits and how to use them
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide The Patriot and Emancipator Helldivers 2 Exosuits pack serious firepower, but do have some drawbacks

As Baldur's Gate 3 hits its first anniversary, here's why we've poured a cumulative 3,550 hours into Larian's world-beating RPG
By Jasmine Gould-Wilson published
Feature Here's to 365 days of adventures in Faerûn – and the many yet to come

Elden Ring Ranni questline and walkthrough
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Beat Ranni the Witch's quest in Elden Ring to get the secret ending, the Age of Stars

How to get Marvel Rivals Keys and redeem them for the Beta
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Codes for the Marvel Rivals Beta can be earned if your friend is level 6

The best Minecraft cheats and console commands
By Iain Wilson last updated
Cheats We've got cheats and console commands for both Java and Bedrock Minecraft