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 12DOVE 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
![Elden Ring blaidd questline location walkthrough](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3PbzW2yA725iDYhY9HRsJd-320-80.jpg)
Full Elden Ring Blaidd questline walkthrough
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Where to find Blaidd's quest, location and armor in Elden Ring
![Elden Ring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/citzdyNFQaJ9HiJiovAHqW-320-80.jpg)
Full Elden Ring Ranni questline walkthrough for the secret ending
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to beat Ranni the Witch's quest in Elden Ring and get the Age of Stars ending
![Elden Ring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cDApBZiXRLsjMQo2rHzKtg-320-80.jpg)
All endings in Elden Ring and how to get them
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to get all the endings for Elden Ring and what happens in them
![Elden Ring colosseum](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FqBHtHM9YfcTtd8uqWR9fU-320-80.jpg)
The best Elden Ring weapons and their stats explained
By Leon Hurley last updated
Guide The main Elden Ring weapon types and details explained
![Elden Ring map fragment found](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RG9R3rZecP6oCx6JzmLgJf-320-80.jpg)
All map fragment locations in Elden Ring
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Here's where to find all the map fragments in Elden Ring to reveal the in-game map itself
![Elden Ring coop multiplayer](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BmMvNnsfKcpgeS2G6zPrVA-320-80.png)
How to play Elden Ring multiplayer co-op with friends
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Co-op in Elden Ring allows players to work together to bring down bosses.
![Elden Ring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sp2ZKMpAnJGH7XCXLj8Fr7-320-80.jpg)
How long to beat Elden Ring?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Here's long Elden Ring can last, whether just the story or if you're a completionist
![Helldivers 2 Stalwart shooting hunter bug](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/snoNPwKYiuvvShon52HUYS-320-80.jpg)
How to kill 25 Hunters in Helldivers 2
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Hunters are common, low-level Terminids with off-white bodies
![Hi-Fi Rush](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RZVMhKTcG5guD56mJPMLQY-320-80.jpg)
What still stands out to me about Hi-Fi Rush isn't the bombastic music, but the quiet anger
By Joel Franey published
Opinion Opinion | To me, Hi-Fi Rush will always be a bouncy Saturday morning cartoon smuggling a very frustrated sentiment
![Elden Ring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YR4kBA4dCXAqcrqc4LBcYe-320-80.jpg)
How to respec in Elden Ring and find Larval Tears
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide You can respec your levels in Elden Ring character with Larval Tears
![Elden Ring preview hands on](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eukMZNvmpEyc6o5j5kgQmF-320-80.png)
All Elden Ring stats explained and what they mean
By Leon Hurley last updated
Guide All Elden Ring attributes explained to perfect your character
![Elden Ring summon NPCs ash spirits](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eF34fktZ2q7wAZTXBBGLZK-320-80.png)
How to summon NPCs in Elden Ring and use Spirit Ashes
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Summoning NPCs in Elden Ring in Elden Ring requires Ashes and the Spirit Calling Bell
![Elden Ring flying horse glitch](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KvfZUpToVywUuTgqnYVurF-320-80.jpg)
How to get the Elden Ring Horse, Torrent
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to summon Torrent, the Spectral Steed and magic horse in Elden Ring
![Baldur's Gate 3](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/So4kdZQgBLYy6JvmqkfMmM-320-80.jpg)
I can't wear the best armor in RPGs because it makes me feel like an idiot – now I've rejected Fashion Souls and embraced the schlub meta
By Joel Franey published
Opinion Opinion | When it comes to dressing up in RPGs, I like a +5 bonus to my Just A Normal Guy stat
![Elden Ring goldmask questline goldmask](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rhYPdDMs6zm4DBszzQCrTQ-320-80.jpg)
What is the best Elden Ring keepsake?
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Which Elden Ring keepsake should you choose, and what do they all do?
![Elden Ring Melina](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fkmUHWiqfQYpjVzBCHhdtj-320-80.jpg)
The best Elden Ring classes and character choices
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Which Elden Ring classes tend to be spellcasters
![Elden Ring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9AsUchVEitNkBLsSpALFVE-320-80.jpg)
11 Elden Ring tips to become a true Elden Lord
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Our Elden Ring tips and tricks will help you master the lands between and beyond
![Star Wars Outlaws](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BFxqTuuCfJvnfv8aB473mn-320-80.jpg)
What Star Wars Outlaws planets and locations are in the game?
By Joel Franey published
Guide Star Wars Outlaws has several worlds and locations confirmed already
![Star Wars Outlaws Nix and Kay](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zYtJf6SwMeK4ZJnbjH86xn-320-80.jpg)
Will Star Wars Outlaws have co-op or multiplayer?
By Joel Franey published
Guide Star Wars Outlaws isn't going to have cooperative or online play
![Helldivers 2 LAS-16 Sickle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/98yd4QSbTXrtdNopRBjvFQ-320-80.jpg)
What is the best Warbond in Helldivers 2?
By Joel Franey published
Guide The best HD2 premium Warbond is currently the Steeled Veterans
![A vampire attacks with a whip in V Rising](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rKJdckHkA9M9dViVwTrRi4-320-80.jpg)
How to get the whip in V Rising
By Joel Franey published
Guide The whip weapon in V Rising is unlocked through Domina and Simon Belmont
![V Rising PvP or PvE choice](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eEKxFrNRsCZqa2xou5MtWb-320-80.jpg)
Should you choose V Rising PvP or PvE mode?
By Joel Franey published
Guide If you're starting a new game in V Rising, we recommend a PvE server
![V Rising Thick Leather](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p4n4C6cCr5YAncKFeRhRvE-320-80.jpg)
How to get Thick Leather in V Rising
By Joel Franey published
Guide Thick leather in V Rising is made through a Tannery, Thick Hide and Oil