I’d say don’t be afraid to look things up like the complete map or other details online. The blind purists are kinda wrong that the games are only enjoyable playing blind. I’m yet to play a metroidvania completely blind and I’ve enjoyed loads of them. I can think of loads of examples where getting lost just ends in frustration, also the genre’s are very linear, going in the wrong direction serves no purpose other than to waste time.

Also hollow knight specifically has a movement mechanic called pogoing which you have by default but i dont think is ever explained.