Of course. I usually don't 100% metroidvanias for this reason. But I also don't usually look up a guide (unless I really want to find a specific boss or secret or something). I just put the game down and come back to it later if I want to keep exploring it.

There's nothing wrong with using a guide if that's how you have the most fun. But I think most people would have more fun playing Hollow Knight without one, which is why I don't think "if you [play Hollow Knight], use a guide or something" is good advice as an unqualified statement. I enjoy the experience of playing a game far more than the accomplishment of having completed it, so I'd rather enjoy a game fully and leave it unfinished than halfheartedly rush through it with a guide.

And for the same reason, you don't _have_ to do Path of Pain, or Pantheon.