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

Ansha's Donuts in Pokemon Legends ZA DLC explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Ansha's Donuts are used for Hoopla, who can access Hyperspace Wild Zone Distortions in the Legends ZA DLC

How to start the Pokemon Legends ZA Mega Dimension DLC
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Mega Dimension expansion for Legends ZA starts on the Hotel Z rooftop

All Borderlands 4 Shift Codes (December 2025) and how to redeem for Golden Keys and Skins
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Redeem Shift Codes in Borderlands 4 to get Vault Hunter Skins and Golden Keys, which unlock potentially incredible loot drops

All the best weapons in Elden Ring Nightreign for every character
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best weapons in Elden Ring Nightreign are legendary weapons that play to characters’ skills

How to turn on Nintendo Switch 2 battery preservation mode
By Duncan Robertson last updated
Guide Here's how to turn on the Nintendo Switch 2's battery preservation mode. Take note, however, this isn't the same as a typical battery-saving mode.

Nintendo Switch 2 setup guide and tips
By Sam Loveridge last updated
Guide Here's exactly how to set up your Nintendo Switch 2 on day one, with a step by step guide to get you into the action quicker.

Arc Raiders Expedition rewards and requirements explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Expeditions in Arc Raiders are prestige mechanics where you build a Caravan to leave and reset progress

Undertaker Remembrance quest walkthrough for Nightreign
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide We lay out all the steps needed for the Undertaker questline in Elden Ring Nightreign

Where to find the Silent Hill 2 garage jack lever
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The garage jack lever is in a nearby garage and you'll have two chances to get it

Silent Hill 2 Remake motel safe code and combination
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The motel safe in requires a code you can find in room 108 nearby

Nightreign Balancers' weakness and strategy guide
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Balancers in Elden Ring Nightreign lead to a powerful boss, the Weapon-Bequeathed Harmonia.

Silent Hill 2 Remake Hospital Padlock code and combination
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The hospital reception office padlock in Silent Hill 2 is a puzzle based on pictures

Silent Hill 2 Remake X-Ray puzzle and combination lock code
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The 3F X-Ray puzzle is solved using ink markers to reveal the combination lock code

Silent Hill 2 Remake's Nurses' Office Keypad code
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The passcode to the Nurses' Office in the Office 2F is downstairs in the Doctor's Lounge

The ultimate Silent Hill 2 Remake guide and walkthrough for survival
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Get help for everything from puzzle solutions, to boss fights, item location and more

Nightreign Undertaker guide, abilities and unlock requirements
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Undertaker character class in the Elden Ring Nightreign DLC is a melee powerhouse

How long is the Silent Hill 2 Remake?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The time to beat Silent Hill 2 is roughly 20 hours on a first playthrough

How to beat Pyramid Head in Silent Hill 2 Remake
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide You can't kill Pyramid Head when you first meet him but you can outlast him

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

How to solve the Silent Hill 2 Remake Seesaw puzzle
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Seesaw puzzle in the Silent Hill 2 Bluecreek Apartments needs two birds to balance it

How to solve the Bluecreek Apartments Clock puzzle in Silent Hill 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Clock in Silent Hill 2's Bluecreek Apartments requires three hands set to the right times

The Nightreign Great Hollow event and crystal curse explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Great Hollow Shifting Earth event in Nightreign triggers a crystal curse, halving HP, requiring you break Resonating Crystals

How to unlock the Scholar and Undertaker in Nightreign
By Joel Franey published
Guide There are two new characters in Nightreign you'll need to unlock to use
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