
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, 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

The best retro remakes and reboots out there aren't afraid to get weird with it – as Shadow Labyrinth being a dark and gritty Pac-Man game shows us
By Joel Franey published
Best List Pac-Man recreated as a D&D warlock patron has me thinking back to the best retro remakes and out-there reboots from gaming history

I'm going back to the five best post-apocalyptic games I ever played, thanks to Death Stranding 2 giving me a taste for the terrible
By Joel Franey published
Best List Armageddon any of the best post-apocalypse games in the next Steam sale

What to expect from the next Prime Day board game deals, and when they might happen
By Benjamin Abbott last updated
Deals The GamesRadar+ team is here to find you all the best Prime Day board game deals once again

Red Dead Online's role-play servers have clearly broken my brain, but I'm just happy to be saving the Wild West as a flamboyant gentlemen vigilante
By Joel Franey published
Now Playing Now Playing | Dressed in a flashy pink costume with plumed hat and domino mask, the Puce Pamplemousse is out to save the Frontier

The best last-chance Prime Day monitor deals 2025
By Phil Hayton last updated
Deals Prime Day monitor deals will kick off again this coming Tuesday, and we're here to help you grab all the deepest display discounts in the lead up to the event.

Marvel Rivals characters and tier list for Season 3
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide We’ve examined all the Marvel Rivals characters for their place in the current Season 3 meta

How to play Phoenix in Marvel Rivals: Guide and abilities explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Phoenix, aka Jean Grey, is a ranged duelist creating fiery sparks in Marvel Rivals

Everything in the Helldivers 2 Control Group Warbond
By Joel Franey published
Guide Dangerously experimental technology is coming to HD2 with this new warbond

Full Mecha Break tier list and the best Strikers ranked (July 2025)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best Strikers in Mecha Break are ranked in our tier list below, with advice on how to play them

Pokemon TCG Pocket best decks and meta tier list (July 2025)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best PTCGP decks are changing now that Eevee Grove has released

The factions of Mecha Break explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Mecha Break factions chosen through character creation don't actually mean anything for now

Mods in Mecha Break and how to get them explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Mods in Mecha Break are earned in Mashmak mode to alter your mech

Will Helldivers 2 be on Xbox?
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Yes, Helldivers 2 has finally been announced for Xbox for some much-needed reinforcements

My current GOTY contender sold itself to me with an out-of-nowhere musical number, and I can't praise that choice enough
By Joel Franey published
Opinion Now Playing | It's my favorite moment of storytelling in a game so far this year, even though it should've been a tonal wreck

How to beat Mashmak mode in Mecha Break explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Mashmak in Mecha Break is a special mode where you can explore extract with new mods and items

All Baldur's Gate 3 romances and relationships
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to romance every character in BG3, including non-companion characters

All Baldur's Gate 3 companions and party members
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to get every companion and party member in BG3 and which ones you should use

I'm enjoying Death Stranding 2, but I wish Hideo Kojima would stop teasing me with cool powers I'll never have
By Joel Franey published
Opinion Now Playing | Between time-manipulation, killer guitars, pizza karate, weather control and more, I'm feeling a bit like I drew the short straw

All Mecha Break codes and how to redeem them (July 2025)
By Joel Franey published
Guide Redeeming codes in Mecha Break lets you earn in-game rewards

All Marvel Rivals upcoming characters and leaks for Season 3 and beyond
By Patrick Dane last updated
Guide All the leaked, new, and upcoming Marvel Rivals characters we've heard about

All Death Stranding 2 best unlocks and rewards
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide All the best DS2 unlocks from raising your connection level are listed here, including weapons and gear

The top Death Stranding 2 tips we wish we'd known before we hit the road
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Build connections and secure your packages with the best tips for Death Stranding 2 we learned from the wasteland

Pokemon TCG Pocket events calendar and schedule (July 2025)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide All events in the Pokemon TCG Pocket are all laid out in our calendar below
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