Mass Effect digital comics free today

Dark Horse is giving away free digital copies of the entire Mass Effect comic line in a strictly time-limited offer.

All four issues of both Redemption and Evolution are available. Redemption outlines events leading into Mass Effect 2, and fills in the adventures of Liara T'Soni - some compensation, and explanation, for her absence as a squad member in-game. Evolution explores the history of the Cerberus organisation, telling the origin story of the Illusive Man.

There's also a seven-page preview of the upcoming series, Invasion, which as you've probably guess by the name, ties in with the upcoming Mass Effect 3.

You need a Dark Horse digital log-in if you want to save the free content to your account and thereby access it after today. Dark Horse Digital offers browser-based access to comics; you won't be able to download them.

Unfortunately, in the four or so hours since the deal was announced, interest has been so high that getting onto Dark Horse's digital portal is nearly impossible.

"We apologize for all the issues people are encountering with getting the Mass Effect comics from digital.darkhorse.com. We have had overwhelming response to our giveaway, and it is causing some extreme lag in accessing the site, as well as the comics. If you are having issues getting through, please keep trying and have patience," Dark Horse commented. That site's struggling, too.

This makes it difficult to verify whether the comics will be available for free outside the US, but if we learn anything we'll let you know. Trust me, I'll be trying all day.

Mass Effect 3 is due on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in March 2012.

Thanks, Joystiq.