The IndieCade Showcase at E3 was the place to go when you wanted (or needed) to get away from all the hustle and bustle the main exhibits tend to stir up, allowing you to relax, talk to some really swell developers and organizers, and try out some really fun games. One of the more enjoyable title’s available for demo was the physics-puzzle title Sand Castle, a game developed by Arkshock, a Korean indie team of two that happens to be married as well.

The game gets an immediate indie gold star for being both simple and fun, the goal simply to move around seesaws and windmills in an attempt to guide grains of sand that endlessly pour from spouts in the sky onto buttons that trigger an exit to the next level. Each area has a name that may clue you in to solving the puzzle, with the puzzles starting out easy but quickly ramping up in difficulty as multiple mechanisms have to be implemented to complete the once simple task of sanding the switch.

The music, which is fantastic and completely fits the style of the game, has to be mentioned. It’s the type of tunes you can appreciate when you’re forced to take a step back and visually map out a solution to the more perplexing levels. It was literally the most soothing thing I heard throughout the week on the E3 floor, and offered some serenity to the chaos that surrounded.

Sand Castle is tough but it’s not just for the hardcore. The game offers both easy and normal difficulties as well as providing a hint option if you’re having trouble with a tricky room. You can check out the freeware version of the game, Sand Castle – Prelude: The Faded Memories, right now. The version is a preview of the full title which will release sometime in the near future at a reasonable price according to the developer.