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

How long is Monster Hunter Wilds to beat?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide MH Wilds is about 40 hours in length, at least to beat the current campaign

How to play Monster Hunter Wilds crossplay
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide MH Wilds Crossplay is done through Hunter IDs and various extra options

Best Monster Hunter Wilds weapons and full tier list
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Our weapon tier list for MH Wilds lays out all the most powerful choices and what's best

Monster Hunter Wilds Herbivore Shell location
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Herbivore Shell in MH Wilds is found on Ceratonoth at Low Rank

How to complete Pinnacle of Its Kind in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Pinnacle of Its Kind has Rook hunt three demons across the map of Veilguard

Should you save the Mayor or leave him in Dragon Age: The Veilguard?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Mayor choice in Dragon Age Veilguard is about whether to spare the corrupted leader

All Dragon Age: The Veilguard Companions and how to recruit them
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide There are seven companions in Dragon Age Veilguard for players to recruit and bring along on their adventures

Monster Hunter Wilds Ember Rufflizard location
By Joel Franey published
Guide The MH Wilds Ember Rufflizard is found in the lava of the Oilwell Basin

All Dragon Age: The Veilguard classes explained and the best classes to use
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide We've explained the basics of each of the three Dragon Age Veilguard classes and ranked them to help you find the right one for you

The Dragon Age: The Veilguard Lighthouse statues puzzle explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The pairs of statues in the Veilguard lighthouse need to be turned to face each other

Should you knock out the First Warden or talk sense into him in Dragon Age: The Veilguard?
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide As Weisshaupt crumbles, you must either knock out the First Warden in Dragon Age Veilguard or try to talk him around

Monster Hunter Wilds Sandstar location
By Joel Franey published
Guide The MH Wilds Sandstar is the target of Samin's Special Research Report

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Heart of Corruption walkthrough and guide
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Heart of Corruption quest in Dragon Age Veilguard is a long one and ends with a level 50 boss

Monster Hunter Wilds Rime Beetle location
By Joel Franey published
Guide The MH Wilds Rime Beetle is part of Samin's Research Report, in the Iceshard Cliffs

10 Monster Hunter Wilds tips we wish we'd known before playing
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Our tips and tricks for MH Wilds have lots of advice that'll help you get to grips with the Forbidden Lands

How to change armor appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds with layered armor
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Layered armor in MH Wilds allows you to transmog and change your armor appearance

As a stalwart member of the Dual Blades community, Monster Hunter Wilds has done us dirty by not importing Rise's beloved Wirebugs
By Joel Franey published
Opinion Opinion | Why can't I swing through the Forbidden Lands?

Monster Hunter Wilds Gillopod location
By Joel Franey published
Guide The MH Wilds Gillopod is located in the Wyveria Ruins and slapped on a wall

Monster Hunter Wilds Rey Dau weaknesses, tips, and strategies
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Rey Dau is a deadly lightning dragon and Apex Predator of the Plains in Monster Hunter Wilds

How to get the Monster Hunter Wilds Hunter Symbol 3
By Joel Franey published
Guide The MH Wilds Hunter Symbol III is a potential reward for 7 and 8 Star missions

How to change appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to change appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds beta

How to use the Dual Blades in Monster Hunter Wilds
By Joel Franey published
Guide The MH Wilds Dual Blades are built for speed and agility, and the stamina-draining Demon Mode

Pokemon TCG Pocket Triumphant Light expansion release date and all details revealed so far
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Pokemon TCG Pocket Triumphant Light expansion has a release date of February 27, and brings in new cards and more
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