Hollow Knight: The Red Glare

Story
The game takes place long before the events of Hollow Knight, when the Radiance had just started the Infection. This game follows the Red Knight on his quest to become a great Nailmaster. It is the first game in a series.

Areas

 * The Howling Cliffs
 * Hallownest Crossroads (Later Forgotten Crossroads)
 * Greenpath
 * Mantis Kingdom (Later Fungal Wastes)
 * Waterfall Canyon (Later Fog Canyon)
 * Capital City of Rain
 * Royal City Slums
 * Crystal Caverns
 * The Hive
 * Kingdom's Edge
 * Ancient Basin
 * The Abyss

Howling Cliffs
Howling Cliffs is the starting point of the game. It is characterized with severe winds and rocky terrain. It is home to Baldurs, Crawlids, and Tiktiks. Though the smallest area, this area is home to the tutorial and first boss: Nailmaster Mato. After defeating Nailmaster Mato, the Red Knight learns the Cyclone Slash.

Hallownest Crossroads
The Hallownest Crossroads is the easiest area in the game. The major enemies are various types of Aspids, a few Infected Bugs, or Husks, and the second boss, a Young Hornet. Upon entering this area, you meet the Shatterer of Nails, the Semi-Main Antagonist of this game and the Red Knight's Archrival. There is brief dialogue with him before he departs. Young Hornet is one of the easiest bosses, and requires knowledge of her techniques to defeat. After defeating her you obtain the Dash ability.

Greenpath
Greenpath is home to the Mosskin Tribe. This tribe is mainly passive in this game, save the Moss Knights. When you hit a Mosskinit will hit back, and all other Mosskins in the vicinity will attack as well. Certain Mosskins are Infected, meaning they are hostile, and will attack on sight. The boss of this area is Nailmaster Sheo, who gives the Great Slash technique when defeated.

Mantis Kingdom
The Mantis Kingdom is one of the harder kingdoms, home to many Mantis Tribe members, including the Mantis Warriors, Mantis Youths, and the Mantis Nailmasters. Mantis Nailmasters are scarce and do not respawn once killed. The bosses of this area are the Mantis Lords, each fought separately. At this point there are four Mantis Lords, as the Mantis Traitors had not left, yet.

Waterfall Canyon
The Waterfall Canyon is one of the hardest areas in the game. Platforms are scarce and falls into boiling water are common. Passive Oomas and Uumuus populate the area, along with hostile Bug Sentries. The boss of this area is the Shatterer of Nails, among one of the harder bosses, the Shatterer of Nails' first encounter is a mix of undodgeable techniques that must be struck with the nail, and a harsh terrain with few platforms and some pools of boiling water. After defeating this boss, you obtain the Rampage technique.

Capital City of Rain
The Capital City of Rain is home to several different Bug Species, including the hostile Bug Sentries, Flying Sentries, and Large Sentries. There are many items in this area, though most of them hold little to no value. The Soul Sanctum that appears in Hollow Knight is filled with passive Soul Twisters and the Soul Master can be found studying. The inhabitants of this sub-area take no heed of you, muttering to themselves and writing tablets. The Capital City's boss is Hegemol of the Five Knights. At the end of the fight, he remarks that the Red Knight fought bravely, thanking him for a great fight, and departs.

Royal City Slums
The Slums are home to many Flukes, though the Flukemarm is not fought in this game. At this point, the City Slums are filthy, filled with oozing brown liquid and brown bubbles that pop when approached. There are also hints of infection that would later invade the Capital City of Rain... The boss of this area is "Kindly" Isma. After defeated, she thanks the Red Knight for one last thrilling fight, and dies, sagging against the wall.

Crystal Caverns
This area is accessed by using Nail Slam. It is full of bugs that have crystal growths on their backs. The crystal seems to be some sort of disease, causing the bugs to attack on sight. In the northeast of the area, there is an item that bestows the Crystal Dash ability. The boss of this area is the Nailsage Sly. He teaches the Red Knight "Shockwave," (Red plunges his nail into the ground, sending shockwaves in each direction) which Red takes as his signature attack.

The Hive
The Hive is filled with Hostile Bees, including Hivelings, Hive Soldiers, Hive Guardians, and the Hive Queen. You must have obtained Shockwave to enter, as there is a wall blocking your way, that can only be destroyed by a hit from Shockwave. After the fight with the queen, Red gains the ability Spin Jump.

History
As the Radiance' Infection seeped into Hallownest, the Pale King searched for a way to seal her. First, he tried crafting a "Vessel," designed to seal Infection and the Radiance. He found that shaping them was not enough and "the Red Knight" was incapable of sealing the Radiance, only holding Infection, so he cast it aside. Unbeknownst to him, the Red Knight, without memory, and only knowing himself as "Red," still lived. His only instinct was to suck infection. Soon, he found himself in the Howling Cliffs. He met the Nailmaster Mato and devoted himself to the way of the nail, even crafting his own spear-like nail that was designed like a pen, and able to spray ink-like Infection he purified. He trained on other creatures dotting the area until he was ready to fight Mato. Proud of his student, Mato challenged Red to seek out his brethren, the Nailmasters, and the legendary Shatterer of Nails and challenge them to learn their techniques. Red thanked him for his teachings and departed, landing in the Forgotten Crossroads... Right after landing he meets the Shatterer of Nails. The Shatterer of Nails introduces himself and bows, then warns Red not to follow him, or there will be combat. Red defiantly draws his nail and stares down the foe. The Shatterer of Nails laughs, stating from this point on they would be rivals. He dashes away, leaving Red in the Crossroads.