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 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 ongoing pop culture comedy podcast, "Margaret Thatcher, Templar Spy".
Latest articles by Joel Franey
![Elden Ring preview hands on](https://cdn.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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.statically.io/img/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
![V Rising Waygates](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SeeWR5aP7Kuvq9WpMDaGi-320-80.jpg)
V Rising Waygate map with all fast travel locations
By Joel Franey published
Guide We lay out every teleportation Waygate location in V Rising, updated for 1.0
![Helldivers 2 Warrior](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/M43AEP2p7zNEVNSvpHCPFm-320-80.jpg)
How to kill 35 Warriors in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey published
Guide Warriors in Helldivers 2 are stocky grey bugs with pincers
![Helldivers 2 Polar Patriots](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UZAsjtSsAMQ4rAeZzsTokY-320-80.jpg)
Everything in the Polar Patriots Warbond battle pass in Helldivers 2
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide The Polar Patriots Warbond for Helldivers 2 has unique weapons, armor sets, boosters and more
![V Rising Putrid Rat boss rat form](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfSkXqbmcDepWRrGmuWUYY-320-80.jpg)
V Rising Putrid Rat location and how to beat it
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to find the Putrid Rat boss and unlock Rat Form in V Rising
![V Rising](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VhoeUBGf3mFWrjfY5rohdH-320-80.jpg)
How to get Servants in V Rising
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to command Servants in V Rising with Servant Coffins
![V Rising](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HZoiv9M34zY2FRLzgiCwBW-320-80.jpg)
How to get Scrolls in V Rising
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to find and farm Scrolls for the Study in V Rising
![V Rising armor best sets all](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fcFQfDBBGsrWYFicittReM-320-80.jpg)
How to get Merciless weapons and armor in V Rising
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Merciless Nightstalker and Hollowfang armor in V Rising explained
![V Rising](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rnyBoUNxq464MDjdGBFP4R-320-80.jpg)
All V Rising console commands and cheat codes
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to use console commands in V Rising for cheats, items and more
![V Rising fish fishing pole](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8haRSDWKJVCJdsFnD7JfHT-320-80.jpg)
How to Catch Fish in V Rising
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Finding, crafting and using the Fishing Pole in V Rising
![V Rising](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gqymQK6DLi5SQEaV43g48N-320-80.jpg)
V Rising Grave Dust and how to get it
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to farm V Rising's Grave Dust across Vardoran