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
How to get the Stellar Blade Double Jump ability
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Double Jump in Stellar Blade is locked to story progression, not skill points
All Sea of Thieves error codes and beards explained
By Zoe Delahunty-Light last updated
Guide From Kiwibeard to Bronzebeard, we explain every Sea of Thieves error code
Sea of Thieves Maiden Voyage and Tutorial Key location
By Mark Delaney last updated
Guide How to beat the tutorial in Sea of Thieves and find the Old Sailor's Key
How to change your pirate's appearance in Sea of Thieves
By Joel Franey published
Guide Your character's appearance can be changed with an Pirate Appearance Potion
How to get the Stellar Blade Pre-Order bonuses
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Stellar Blade pre order bonuses are a red outfit, round glasses, and special earrings
Is Sea of Thieves crossplay over PlayStation, Xbox, and PC?
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide You can use crossplay in Sea of Thieves to connect PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC
10 Stellar Blade tips and tricks to master the sword
By Joel Franey published
Guide Our Stellar Blade tips will help you get to grips with combat, exploration, and more besides
How to solve the Stellar Blade Monorail power puzzle
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Monorail puzzle in Stellar Blade is about allocating squares of energy to activate the rail
The Stellar Blade ladder and water puzzle explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Stellar Blade has a confusing sequence where you have to leap to a ladder across a pond of water
How to open the red code chest in Stellar Blade
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Stellar Blade chest in Bar 99 tells you to "enter passcode" - but won't let you
How to beat the Abaddon boss fight in Stellar Blade
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Abaddon Alpha Naytiba at the top of the car park is all about the careful approach
How to solve the Stellar Blade laser redirection puzzle in Altess Levoire
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Altess Levoire laser puzzle in Stellar Blade is about steering lasers to overheat the generator
The best Stellar Blade skills and abilities
By Joel Franey published
Guide The best skills in Stellar Blade vary from tree to tree
How to get a gun in Stellar Blade
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Stellar Blade ranged weapon is an upgrade to the Drone
How long to beat Stellar Blade
By Joel Franey published
Guide How long is Stellar Blade from beginning to end?
The Stellar Blade Simple Puzzle solution
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Simple Puzzle in Stellar Blade is an optional math test based on multiplication
The Stellar Blade Wisdom Puzzle solution
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Wisdom Puzzle in Stellar Blade is the second math request from the Bulletin Board
The Stellar Blade symbol platform puzzle explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Stellar Blade platform puzzle with X, Square, Circle and Triangle on them is solved by following a specific pattern
Stellar Blade passcodes for opening doors and chests
By Joel Franey published
Guide Find the early Stellar Blade passcodes for doors and locked chests here
How to get the Hacking Tool in Stellar Blade
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Stellar Blade hacking tool is an optional upgrade for the drone
How to kill Devastators in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Helldivers 2 Devastators show up on most difficulties but they can be tough to crack
The best weapons in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
guide The strongest early and late-game weapon recipes in Grounded are here
How to kill enemies with the Machine Gun in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Machine Gun Stratagem in Helldivers 2 is best used on bugs, and at high fire rate