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, Dicebreaker, RPS, Jelly Deals and more. 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 pop culture comedy podcast, "Margaret Thatcher, Templar Spy".
Latest articles by Joel Franey

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide Living Shards are used to buy new weapons and Combo Finishers in Control Resonant

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide All the best decks for PTCGP are here, updated for the Deluxe Pack Mega expansion

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide We show you how to find all the Combat abilities (and traversal powers) in Control Resonant, as well as which ones to choose

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide We lay out the best starting primary and second weapon (or Aberrant Form) in Control Resonant

By Joel Franey Published
Guide NG+ in 007 First Light is pretty limited - in that it's just a matter of clothing options and nothing else

By Emma-Jane Betts Last updated
Guide Control Resonant is releasing in 2026, so here's a complete guide on all the latest news and details ahead of Control 2

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide There are six hidden Testing Facilities hidden as part of the Unsupervised Science quest in Control Resonant

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide The Complete Set quest is about finding Speakers and a Subwoofer in Control Resonant

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide To reroute the power lines between platforms in Control Resonant requires several puzzles to be solved

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide Control Resonant starts properly after defeating the Artist and making it to Central

By Duncan Robertson Last updated
Deals Black Friday Meta Quest deals are a ways off yet, but here are the offers you can already make the most of.

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide There are seven zones, or regions, spread across the Control Resonant map, which are unlocked through map kits

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide The Mysterious Dog appears seven times in Control Resonant, each time with a puzzle to find its missing Dragon toy

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide How long it takes you to complete Control Resonant will vary depending on how much you engage with side content

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide The locations and puzzles for all Taxis in Control Resonant are laid out here

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide Combo Finishers end off your standard weapon combo with a more powerful finishing attack in Control Resonant

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide In Panopticon Service Request, you have to give Langston the correct containment Cell ID and contain the World's Fair Radio

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide Reset Items in Control Resonant are sold by Vendors, and rewards for Arcade machines

By Joel Franey Last updated
Guide Mystery Gifts in Pokemon Z-A are available now, through different means

By Iain Wilson Last updated
Guide Redeem Shift Codes in Borderlands 4 to get Vault Hunter Skins and Golden Keys, which unlock potentially incredible loot drops

By Joel Franey Published
Guide The arcade machines around Control Resonant are all Shum III, but in actuality they're all endgame challenges

By Joel Franey Published
Guide The New Growth quest in Control Resonant has you help Doctor Underhill, then make a choice about what to do with her.

By Joel Franey Published
Guide The new Transmog feature in Witcher 3 Remastered allows you to Reforge your equipment into a new look
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