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
The ultimate Helldivers 2 Beginner's Guide
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide For those starting Helldivers 2, our beginner's guide will help you learn the basics
The Helldivers 2 Shriekers and how to beat them
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Shriekers are flying Terminid bugs that Helldivers 2 has swarm you from above
Everything we know so far about the Helldivers 2 Illuminate faction
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Illuminate seem likely to be the third faction in HD2
Helldivers 2 Stalkers and how to kill them
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Stalkers in Helldivers 2 are invisible bugs that use stealth attacks
Helldivers 2 roadmap, leaks, content and future updates
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Every new upcoming feature confirmed, leaked or datamined from Helldivers 2!
How to beat the Dead Bride in The First Descendant
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The First Descendant Dead Bride boss fight requires speed, literal fire power, and resistance to Chill damage
How to beat the Pyromaniac in The First Descendant
By Joel Franey published
Guide How to beat the Pyromaniac in The First Descendant
Best weapons in The First Descendant
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best weapons in The First Descendant are all listed here
The best Gold Farm for The First Descendant
By Joel Franey published
Guide To farm gold in The First Descendant, players should switch to Bunny, then head to Echo Swamp
How to beat the Devourer in The First Descendant
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Devourer boss fight in The First Descendant can be beaten with careful use of electrical power
How to unlock The First Descendant Hard Mode
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Hard mode in The First Descendant is a difficulty unlocked through campaign completion
How to get Caliber in The First Descendant
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Caliber is a currency you can't earn for free, sadly
How to get more Healing Flasks in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
By Joel Franey published
Guide Healing Potions in Flintlock are rewards for finding coffee shops
How long is Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn?
By Joel Franey published
Guide Flintlock will take up to 15 hours to beat, depending on your playstyle
How to play Sebo in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
By Joel Franey published
Guide Sebo is a recurring board game in Flintlock about making triangles
The best Skills in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
By Joel Franey published
Guide The best Skills in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn are those that focus on control and common use
How to farm XP in Flintlock and earn Reputation
By Joel Franey published
Guide Farming Reputation in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is best done through rapid 1-on-1 fights with enemies
How to get to every Shadow of the Erdtree area, region and map location
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Here's how you can get everywhere in the Erdtree DLC, from the Hinterlands to the Abyss
All Scadutree Fragment locations in Shadow of the Erdtree
By Ford James last updated
Guide Scadutree Fragments in Elden Ring's expansion are found at crosses, minibosses and more
Best The First Descendant Kuiper Shard farming method
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best Kuiper Shard farming methods in The First Descendant are based on quick, easy missions
I'm playing Honour Mode in Baldur's Gate 3 with a truly dreadful handicap - a character created by somebody who doesn't know D&D
By Joel Franey published
Opinion Opinion | Still, playing Baldur's Gate 3's hardest difficulty with its worst hero has made me love the game all the more
Void Fragments in The First Descendant and how to get Void Shards explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Void Fragments in the First Descendant can only be broken by certain elements
Is The First Descendant crossplay and cross-platform?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Yes, The First Descendant can be played with friends cross-platform
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