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
Dragon's Dogma 2 Guardian Gigantus boss fight and trophy guide
By Joel Franey published
Guide The DD2 "Gigantus, I Hardly Knew Ye" trophy/achievement comes from quickly slaying the statue
9 Minecraft Legends tips to know before your quest begins
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best tips on how to play Minecraft Legends and hold back the Piglin hordes
How to open the Flamebearer Palace Spellseal Door in Dragon's Dogma 2
By Joel Franey published
Guide The DD2 Flamebearer Palace door leads to the Volcanic Island region.
Dragon's Dogma 2 A Candle in the Storm walkthrough and choices
By Joel Franey published
Guide The DD2 quest, A Candle in the Storm, ends (eventually) with the choice to support the Empress or not
How to get to Battahl in Dragon's Dogma 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide To get into the Battahl region in DD2, you need a permit from Brant
Dragon's Dogma 2 Phantom Oxcart walkthrough and guide
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Phantom Oxcart in DD2 is a quest about following a strange cart - with a cargo of Pawns
Dragon's Dogma 2 A Veil of Gossamer Clouds walkthrough
By Joel Franey published
Guide Where do you go to investigate the letter in the DD2's A Veil of Gossamer Clouds quest?
Minecraft Legends guide, walkthrough, and everything you need to know
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide All of the Minecraft Legends details for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC
How to get the Mystic Spearhand vocation in Dragon's Dogma 2
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Mystic Spearhand is unlocked from Sigurd, after fighting a dragon in Melve
How to extract Samples in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Farming Super, Rare or Common Samples in Helldivers 2 is best done through short, quick missions
Dragon's Dogma 2 The Ornate Box quest walkthrough and guide
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Ornate Box in DD2 should be given to the boy Sven
How to Liberate Troost for the Helldivers 2 Major Order
By Joel Franey published
Guide Liberating Troost in the Trigon Sector means fighting the Automatons off Ustotu and more
The Arcane Turrets in Baldur's Gate 3 explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The turrets outside the Arcane Tower in Baldur's Gate 3 are weak to radiant damage
Dragon's Dogma 2 Jasper, Onyx and Tiger Eye explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide What are the valuables and gems in Dragon's Dogma 2 for, and can you craft with them?
How to change appearance in Rise of the Ronin
By Joel Franey published
Guide You can change your face and appearance at the Longhouse in Rise of the Ronin
How to kill Helldivers 2 Scout Striders
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Scout Striders in Helldivers 2 are two-legged armored vehicles, piloted by bots
How to play co-op multiplayer in Rise of the Ronin
By Joel Franey published
Guide You can play Rise of the Ronin with friends via the Longhouse
Sussur Bloom locations and uses in Baldur's Gate 3
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Where to find Sussur Bloom flowers in Baldur's Gate 3 and what they do.
Everything we know about Baldur's Gate 3 DLC
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Will BG3 have downloadable content and expansions? Probably not...
Simon the Sorcerer returns after a 30 year hiatus - and he's joined by none other than Rick Astley
By Joel Franey published
News The legendary wizard is coming back in a prequel to the classic point and click adventure series
With just one day until release, Dragon's Dogma 2 has a new release trailer - and things are looking bigger than ever
By Joel Franey published
News Medusas and ogres and kings, oh my!
A new dev diary for upcoming souls-lite Flintlock reveals it's not just a god-killing RPG - but a rhythm game too!
By Joel Franey published
News Cut down undead - to the beat
The Necromancy of Thay choice in Baldur's Gate 3 explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Should you open the Necromancy of Thay book with the key in BG3 - or just destroy it?