Should one explore in this game, early on?

[Ardenian]

I am not very used to Jump'n'Run games, awful long time ago I played a couple Mario games and now in Hollow Knight I repeatedly run into the problem that I face threats I cannot deal with. While it takes a moment to figure out how to deal with a boss, other ones are a pain. Falsehood for example is very easy once you figured him out, however, now I moved to the second(?) area, Green Path and after following Hornet (Trading cards says that how she is called), I ran into a room with some old soldier dude with a shield and I can barely deal with him, losing all my money. Do these spirits with your money persist, even if you go doing other stuff, so I could return later and collect my stuff or do I have to force myself to do this boss until I get him down?

[Desticler]

Your Shade with your money will be there until one of you dies. If you die, the money is gone for good. If Shade dies, you get your money back.
You really shouldn't focus that much on exploring until you get a movement upgrade called Mantis Claw; after that the game REALLY opens up and you can go to a lot of places.

[Ardenian]

I see, thank you! Without spoilering, how fast do i get this item? I assume it allows double jump, wall jump or something around that corner, seeing such features around the first area.

So, is there a particular order which you have to choose, for areas, difficulty-wise? From Falsehood I got that crest thingy, I think, which I believe I can use at that station thingy in the first area, to the East, so I am not forced to do Green Path.

[Desticler]

Greenpath is required. You have to find Hornet, beat her and get Mothwing Cloak; after which you go down from Crossroads to get into Fungal Wastes; without much spoiling, this is where you get Mantis Claw. So I'd say you're about halfway to getting it.
Also, I finally remembered what soldier dude you're talking about. You have to beat him. Just be patient and learn how to attack him without getting hit in the process.
And you really don't want to go east without movement upgrades, trust me. Once you get Mantis Claw you're pretty much free to go anywhere and it won't be that difficult; I wouldn't say there's a correct order.

[Boksha]

This game is all about exploration from the start; there's in general no such thing as bosses you're not supposed to beat yet. That said, if you really cannot beat a boss and want to get your shade back without losing your money, you can enter the boss' arena, kill the shade, then quit the game from the menu. When you load the game, you'll be back safely on the nearest bench with your money.

What "old soldier dude with a shield" are you talking about by the way? Moss Knights? (these guys: https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/hollowknight/images/1/19/B_Moss_Knight.png )

They're tough, but you should absolutely be able to beat them at any point in the game if you pay attention to what they're doing. They are early game enemies and meant to be faced with no upgrades. (though again, without upgrades they are absolutely dangerous enemies, but they're meant to be)

[CevatRonald]

I personally recommend you to explore the world, even if you don't have many abilities. Exploring helps you connect with the world more and get loot in some cases, whether or not it's your first time playing.
Exploring the map even past its limits is one of the reasons why Hollow Knight is liked. Don't worry, I was once like you, getting stuck in certain areas, but I get past those areas after a couple times.

Also, those guys are called "Moss Knights"

[CevatRonald]

Also, try to train yourself with the Warrior Husks back at the Forgotten Crossroads (those shield guys near the Crossroads tram.)

[Ardenian]

I see, thanks guys. I got back my shade without trigggering the Moss Knight, but I did not receive any money. Quitting the game in between dying and getting back the shade was probably a bad idea. Still strange it doesn't give me the money back.

[Ardenian]

Mmh, okay, after dying again and getting the shade once again, now I got the money, at least.

[CevatRonald]

If you're really having trouble with them, I recommend you watching this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZ7NHlb4FU.

[Ardenian]

Alright, guys, you are right, Moss Knight is easy once you figure him out. Just attacking after he swings. Actually love this detail about the game. No enemy so far was unfair, always observe and find a strategy.

[Cooperal]

I felt like running around and getting lost was the best way to play for my first time. Well you kind of have to just to get the maps but you should embrace that it's often what the game wants you to feel. It sets you up for a greater sense of reward when you achieve certain milestones.

You don't know what you're going to get but you know that most of the time it's something that you'll be thankful for having.

[bobime, dorime, demomium]

You need to get the Mothwing Clock (Greenpath) and the Mantis Claw (Fungal Wastes). Then you are good to go for exploring.

What areas have you visited? I could tell you some recommendations if you want to.

[Ardenian]

Originally posted by Little Green Yoda Hulk 🌃🌆:

You need to get the Mothwing Clock (Greenpath) and the Mantis Claw (Fungal Wastes). Then you are good to go for exploring.

What areas have you visited? I could tell you some recommendations if you want to.

Played so far that I got both items you mentioned. Just casually exploring right now and trying not to think about that temple in the Fungal Wastes where you have to combine Dash and Wall Jump tor each Hornet, really suck at those...

[bobime, dorime, demomium]

Originally posted by Ardenian:

Originally posted by Little Green Yoda Hulk 🌃🌆:

You need to get the Mothwing Clock (Greenpath) and the Mantis Claw (Fungal Wastes). Then you are good to go for exploring.

What areas have you visited? I could tell you some recommendations if you want to.

Played so far that I got both items you mentioned. Just casually exploring right now and trying not to think about that temple in the Fungal Wastes where you have to combine Dash and Wall Jump tor each Hornet, really suck at those...

When you finish the challenge you get to use the False Knight's Crest (obtained after you defend the False Knight) to unlock a new place, arguably the nicest and one of the largest areas of the game.

You may want to go back to Greenpath, at the top section of the path that leads to the Howling Cliffs. However, since that path is very dark, you need to buy the lantern from a vendor at Dirthmouth, Sly. If you haven't brought them back to Dirthmouth, they need to be rescued at the Forgotten Crossroads. Howling Cliffs is very simple, consisting of simple platforming and easy enemies such as Vengeflies. You get to meet a good fellow who... ;)

[Ardenian]

Originally posted by Little Green Yoda Hulk 🌃🌆:

Originally posted by Ardenian:

Played so far that I got both items you mentioned. Just casually exploring right now and trying not to think about that temple in the Fungal Wastes where you have to combine Dash and Wall Jump tor each Hornet, really suck at those...

When you finish the challenge you get to use the False Knight's Crest (obtained after you defend the False Knight) to unlock a new place, arguably the nicest and one of the largest areas of the game.

You may want to go back to Greenpath, at the top section of the path that leads to the Howling Cliffs. However, since that path is very dark, you need to buy the lantern from a vendor at Dirthmouth, Sly. If you haven't brought them back to Dirthmouth, they need to be rescued at the Forgotten Crossroads. Howling Cliffs is very simple, consisting of simple platforming and easy enemies such as Vengeflies. You get to meet a good fellow who... ;)

I see, thanks for the heads up!