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
![Helldivers 2 Scout Striders](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HdD8pngF8jQNHGtUxdjZ2o-320-80.jpg)
Helldivers 2 Scout Striders and how to beat them
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Scout Striders in Helldivers 2 are Automaton walker vehicles, vulnerable at the back
![Two Helldivers shoot flame from weapons obained via the Helldivers 2 Freedom's Flame Warbond](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SHWZnduCNUTucx4gA5ZYXK-320-80.jpg)
Everything coming in the Helldivers 2 Freedom's Flame Warbond battle pass
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Freedom's Flame Warbond in HD2 is fire-themed, with flamethrowers and fire-resistant armor - among other things.
![Helldivers 2 chargers](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ctBPH5tui3Fts4uHpMNUZ9-320-80.jpg)
Helldivers 2 Chargers and how to kill them
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Killing Chargers in Helldivers 2 requires patience, speed and firepower
![Helldivers 2](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VCowJCoSrUWana49UePiXi-320-80.jpg)
The ultimate Helldivers 2 guide for all players
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Helldivers 2 guides are all here, with gear, enemies, missions and error codes to help!
![Helldivers 2 Polar Patriots Warbond helldiver firing pummeler smg](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PNgWWDYrE8DoWiNgRek9C-320-80.jpg)
10 Helldivers 2 tips and tricks to help you manage democracy
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Our advice and tips for Helldivers 2 will help you find your feet - and secure victory
![Helldivers 2 stratagems](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D2wLyz56apf5NUSgsqaqp5-320-80.jpg)
Helldivers 2 best weapons and full tier list
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Our Helldivers 2 weapon tier list has every weapon, gun, grenade and more laid out, best to worst
![Helldivers 2 Escalation of Freedom](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kW6d5kZyZF6dHzvf6XErGT-320-80.jpg)
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!
![Marvel Rivals](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iu24eSdcc23nhPncJThFPN-320-80.jpg)
How to get Marvel Rivals Keys and redeem them for the Beta
By Joel Franey published
Guide Codes for the Marvel Rivals Beta can be earned if your friend is level 6
![The player fights the Dead Bride in The First Descendant](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LRrc6x6u5RMv2b6WqdNPA3-320-80.jpg)
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
![The First Descendant Pyromaniac](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CapBC4Th3TiKMg4iif7XN5-320-80.jpg)
How to beat the Pyromaniac in The First Descendant
By Joel Franey published
Guide How to beat the Pyromaniac in The First Descendant
![The First Descendant](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WS9Jd8o5LD8H4eZW5MiKRQ-320-80.jpg)
Best weapons in The First Descendant
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best weapons in The First Descendant are all listed here
![The First Descendant Gold Farm](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/inUT35fzp29CyemES98aYF-320-80.jpg)
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
![A player fights The Devourer in The First Descendant](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2oDGnP8PbzSd8zQQskywu7-320-80.jpg)
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
![Is Fortnite down?](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WsPMaxW3PZT8Fj6TpKuifJ-320-80.jpg)
Is Fortnite down? And if so then how long is the Fortnite downtime?
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide What to know if you're seeing the dreaded "Fortnite servers not responding" error
![The First Descendant](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XTB9nFnd2heN7p6iDNCJMm-320-80.jpg)
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
![The First Descendant Caliber](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xLUMrvGURRe35Hpi88DU6B-320-80.jpg)
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
![Flintlock Healing Flasks](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tdiKpinP5ukY3GhJ45RyNT-320-80.jpg)
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
![Nor in Flintlock The Siege of Dawn](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MqC4DQRCEgP5bVqCeZRS6j-320-80.jpg)
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
![Sebo in Flintlock The Siege of Dawn](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8P5HYtceCJGLicaFUdbDDK-320-80.jpg)
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
![Flintlock best skills](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/28JBuYELnaXyyLPrquPS5L-320-80.jpg)
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
![Flintlock the Siege of Dawn XP farming](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BVCy2fzjx78G49Ym4ZAMBN-320-80.jpg)
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
![Elden Ring Bayle](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WtXxsWCCCjDevBW72zk5BE-320-80.jpg)
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
![A player finds a Scadutree Fragment in Shadow of the Erdtree](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8zFtCyC6axbXL6rdgVvnKo-320-80.jpg)
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