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

The best weapons for Terminids in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Helldivers 2 Bugs - the Terminids - focus on mass swarms and melee attacks

How to play Fortnite split screen
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide Fortnite split screen is now available again, following downtime due to an unspecified issue

How to complete Secondary Objectives in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Secondary objectives in Helldivers 2 are also called optional objectives, marked in pale blue

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

Best Grounded base locations to build a hideout
By Joel Franey last updated
guide The best base locations in Grounded for early and late game players

Grounded Mantis boss fight location, weaknesses and strategies
By Joel Franey last updated
guide How to find, summon and kill the Orchid Mantis in Grounded

How to get the Mantis Kebab in the Stump Lab in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
guide Where to find the Orchid Mantis Kebab recipe in Grounded and how to make it

How to craft the Oven in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
guide How to get the recipe and ingredients for the Oven in Grounded

How to get the Broodmother BLT in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Where to find the recipe for summoning the Hedge Broodmother BLT in Grounded

Broodmother location, weaknesses and strategies in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Hedge Broodmother is a giant spider boss in Grounded

All Grounded toenail locations
By Joel Franey last updated
guide We explain where to find Toenails in Grounded for making weapons

Wendell's SCAB location in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
guide Where to find Dr Wendell Tully's SCAB device in the Upper Yard in Grounded

Where to find the ORC Lab location in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
guide How to find the secret Ominent ORC lab in Grounded and get inside the Castle Moldorc Playset.

Everything you need to know about Pets in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
guide How to tame bugs in Grounded, including Aphids, Weevils and Gnats

Where to go after the Hedge Lab in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
guide What order to do the Pond Lab, Haze Lab and Black Anthill Lab in Grounded for their Superchips

Where to find the Grounded Minotaur Maze Key
By Joel Franey last updated
guide The location of the key to the Grounded picnic chest - and Mint Mace - is South

How to get to the Upper Yard in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
guide How to unlock the Upper Yard and Shed in Grounded, from the Upper Yard Ascent or otherwise.

How to get to the Shed Lab in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
guide How to find Wendell Tully's Lab in the Undershed - and get past the Black Widow Spider - in Grounded

How to beat Spiders in Grounded and use Arachnophobia mode
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide How to use Arachnophobia Safe Mode and kill Grounded Spiders

Grounded MIXR modules and Javamatic defense guide
By Joel Franey last updated
guide How to defend the MIX.R modules and pipes from the ORC insects in Grounded's final mission, "Troubles Brewin'"

Where to go after the Oak Lab in Grounded
By Joel Franey last updated
guide After Grounded's Oak Lab, you need to reach the Hedge Lab

10 Grounded tips and tricks to master your backyard
By Joel Franey last updated
guide Our tips for Grounded will help players beat bugs and build bases

How to get Wheat Seeds in Palworld
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Palworld Wheat Seeds are a drop from certain Grass-type Pals