
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, Dicebreaker, RPS, Jelly Deals and more. 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 pop culture comedy podcast, "Margaret Thatcher, Templar Spy".
Latest articles by Joel Franey

Marvel Rivals characters and tier list for Season 2
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide We’ve examined all the Marvel Rivals characters for their place in the current Season 2 meta

Pokemon TCG Pocket events calendar (April 2025)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Future events for Pokemon TCG Pocket are all laid out in our calendar below

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Hardcore mode details and perks
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The new KCD2 Hardcore mode brings new challenges and mandatory negative perks

How to play Baldur's Gate 3 cross-play with friends
By Joel Franey published
Guide BG3 cross-play launches with Patch 8, allowing you to play with friends on different consoles

How to use Baldur's Gate 3 photo mode
By Joel Franey published
Guide BG3 photo mode allows you to take pictures and screenshots

Best Baldur's Gate 3 classes and tier list (post Patch 8)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best BG3 classes and subclasses for 2025 are all here

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

How to get free Marvel Rivals Twitch Drops and rewards
By Leon Hurley last updated
Guide Get some free Twitch Drops by linking your Twitch and Marvel Rivals accounts

All Marvel Rivals upcoming characters, heroes, and villains
By Patrick Dane last updated
Guide All the leaked, new, and upcoming Marvel Rivals characters we've heard about

All Marvel Rivals Emma Frost details, abilities, skins, and tips
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Emma Frost in Marvel Rivals uses Diamond Skin and telepathic power to protect allies and hurt foes

All Marvel Rivals Season 2 Battle Pass rewards and skins
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Marvel Rivals S2 battlepass, Flower of Krakoa, has costumes for Magik, Spider-Man, Captain America, Hulk and more

What to do with the Baldur's Gate 3 scuffed rock
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The scuffed rock on the beach in BG3 has treasure underneath it

What are Legendary Actions in Baldur's Gate 3?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Legendary Actions in BG3 are special moves that certain bosses can perform - on your turn!

The Arcane Turrets in Baldur's Gate 3 explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The turrets outside the Arcane Tower in Baldur's Gate 3 are weak to radiant damage

Sussur Bloom locations and uses in Baldur's Gate 3
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Where to find Sussur Bloom flowers in Baldur's Gate 3 and what they do.

How to solve the Baldur's Gate 3 moon puzzle in the Defiled Temple
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The moon puzzle in the Defiled Temple in BG3 is a tricky one, but there's a secret solution

How to open the Gilded Chest in Baldur's Gate 3
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Selune's gilded chest in the BG3 Owlbear Nest is protected by a strange spell

Best Baldur's Gate 3 Druid class build
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best Druid build in Baldur's Gate 3 mixes animal transformation and melee power

How to open the Cellar secret door in Baldur's Gate 3
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The book case in the BG3 cellar under the Blighted Village can be opened with a lever behind the crates

How to get past the Noxious Fumes in Baldur's Gate 3
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Noxious Fumes in Baldur's Gate 3 are a confusing trap in the hag's lair.

Best Baldur's Gate 3 Sorcerer class build
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best Baldur's Gate 3 Sorcerer build makes you a glass cannon powerhouse

How to find and use the Baldur's Gate 3 Adamantine Forge
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The BG3 Adamantine Forge requires moulds and mithril

Best Baldur's Gate 3 Rogue class build
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide A good rogue build in BG3 is based around single, devastating strikes and utility
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