
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

Best Elden Ring classes ranked
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide The best Elden Ring classes vary depending on skill, but spellcasters are powerhouses

Full Elden Ring Blaidd questline walkthrough
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide We explain how to find Blaidd and get his armor and sword in Elden Ring

All Elden Ring Bell Bearing locations
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide We explain where to get every Bell Bearing for farming Smithing Stones with the Twin Maiden Husk's shop in Elden Ring

Everything about the Helldivers 2 Illuminate and tips for beating the Squids
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Here's what you need to know about the Illuminate in Helldivers 2, including how to fight them

Helldivers 2 weapon customization and attachments explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Customizing weapons in HD2 is done by levelling up your guns through use

How to solve the rotating water room puzzle in Doom The Dark Ages
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Kar'Thul Marshes level in Doom The Dark Ages has an optional puzzle where you spin a room with water

What is the best Weapon in Doom The Dark Ages?
By Joel Franey published
Guide The best weapon in Doom The Dark Ages is by far the Super Shotgun, for its heavy damage

All Doom The Dark Ages weapons and how to get them
By Joel Franey published
Guide There are 23 weapons in Doom The Dark Ages, not including the weaponized dragon and stationary turrets

Where to find all Wolf Statues in Doom The Dark Ages
By Joel Franey published
Guide Wolf Statues in The Dark Ages are found in The Siege, The Ancestral Forge, the Kar'Thul Marshes and Resurrection.

All Wraithstones in Doom The Dark Ages Spire of Nerathul
By Joel Franey published
Guide There's two hidden Wraithstone locations in Doom The Dark Ages' eldritch Spire of Nerathul

Doom: The Dark Ages review: "Some may appreciate the greater focus on close-quarters, but others will find themselves nostalgic for the simple joys of double jumps"
By Joel Franey published
Review

After years of despising JRPGs, Clair Obscur has finally brought me around by ditching the standard cast of tedious teenagers
By Joel Franey published
Now Playing Now Playing | Expedition 33 brought me around to one of my least favorite genres by aging up its themes, dialogue and (thank Christ), the cast

Best Birthsign in The Elder Scrolls Oblivion 4 Remastered
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Birthsigns in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered grant permanent buffs or powers

Best Class in The Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide We have all the best class options in Oblivion Remastered here

I'm still scratching the surface of Arrakis in Dune: Awakening, but it's already doing at least one thing better than Villeneuve's films
By Joel Franey published
Now Playing Opinion | Dune Awakening has doubled down on a major blind spot of both movies

Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered Vilverin puzzles and walkthrough
By Joel Franey published
Guide Vilverin is one of the first dungeons in Oblivion Remastered

Skills and the Skill system in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Oblivion Remastered skill system is based on usage and multipliers

How to cure Vampirism in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered
By Joel Franey published
Guide We explain everything you need to know about Vampirism in Oblivion Remastered, including cures and powers

Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered unarmed combat and hand-to-hand changes
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Oblivion remaster has changed hand-to-hand combat so characters can no longer be knocked out

Can you dual-wield in Oblivion Remastered?
By Joel Franey published
Guide Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered doesn't let you dual-wield weapons, but you can combine spells and equipment

How to start The Thieves Guild Questline in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered
By Joel Franey published
Guide How to start The Thieves Guild Questline in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered

How to start the Dark Brotherhood Questline in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered
By Joel Franey published
Guide To join the Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion, you need to kill a random person, and then speak with Lucien Lachance

My favorite Pokemon game has been trapped on one console for 15 years, and I desperately need Nintendo to let more people play it
By Joel Franey published
Opinion Opinion | Explorers of Sky is one of the truly great Pokemon games, but it's at risk of being forgotten to history
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