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
Black Friday gaming chair deals 2024: The best chairs and the best deals to prepare for
By Duncan Robertson last updated
Black Friday The best Black Friday gaming chair deals are coming - here's what you should know
Is the Monster Hunter Wilds beta crossplay?
By Joel Franey published
Guide Crossplay is a part of MH Wilds - in both the beta and the full game
How to change appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds beta
By Joel Franey published
Guide How to change appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds beta
Best Monster Hunter Wilds weapons and tier list for the Beta
By Joel Franey published
Guide Our weapon tier list for the MH Wilds Beta has all the best options for hunters
Dune and Ghibli collide in Steam Next Fest's strangest strategy game, where you drive steampunk war-crabs across an interplanetary Austro-Hungarian empire
By Joel Franey published
News Frank Herbert and Howl meet in a steampunk take on Sea of Thieves
10 Helldivers 2 tips and tricks to dominating the battlefield
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Our advice and tips for Helldivers 2 will help you find your feet - and secure victory
How to destroy Helldivers 2 Fuel Silos
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Fuel Silos in Helldivers 2 can be destroyed with a Hellbomb - but honestly, what can't?
How to beat the Helldivers 2 Terminids
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Helldivers 2 Bugs generally focus on mass swarms and melee attacks
Helldivers 2 Boosters explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Boosters in Helldivers 2 are equipable modifiers that provide helpful bonuses.
How to kill the Helldivers 2 Chargers
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Chargers in Helldivers 2 are huge armored bugs with vulnerable backsides
There's one horror icon who could make the Alien Isolation sequel even better than the original
By Joel Franey published
Opinion Opinion | What's better than one legendary monster of the silver screen trying to murder players...?
The Helldivers 2 guide to managing democracy
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Our Helldivers 2 guides are all here, with gear, enemies, missions more
How to get all Silent Hill 2 endings
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Our spoiler free guide shows you how to get every ending in Silent Hill 2 Remake
Silent Hill 2 Remake Director's Office Safe code and puzzle solution
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The safe in the Director's Office is tied to the puzzle of books in the storage room
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
Silent Hill 2 Remake X-Ray puzzle and combination lock code
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The 3F X-Ray puzzle is solved through using the ink markers, which revealed the combination lock code.
Silent Hill 2 Remake Hospital Padlock code and combination
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The padlock in the hospital reception office in Silent Hill 2 is a puzzle based on pictures
Silent Hill 2 Remake motel safe code and combination
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The motel safe in Silent Hill 2 requires a code, found in room 108
Silent Hill 2 Remake garage jack lever location
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The location of the garage jack lever in Silent Hill 2 Remake is unsurprisingly - a nearby garage
How to beat Pyramid Head in Silent Hill 2 Remake
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide You can't kill Pyramid Head in the first Silent Hill 2 encounter, but you can outlast him
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 a special bird to balance it
How to solve the Silent Hill 2 Remake Clock puzzle in Bluecreek Apartments
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Clock in Silent Hill 2's Bluecreek Apartments requires three hands set to the right times
All Silent Hill 2 Remake weapons and where to get them
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Silent Hill 2 has a pistol, shotgun, rifle and chainsaw, among others
Sign up to the 12DOVE Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more