Ok, so we can all tell by this that Lily doesn't know what a metroidvania is nor does she value exploration by this, right?
The reason why the intended way is an "increasingly circuitous route" is because they want you to explore the area and get the ability that helps you move forward. I think she's talking about how she skipped The Hunter's March because she couldn't beat the Skar blocking the way and went straight to Deep Docks. Which isn't a short cut she skipped an area. The parts that are blocked off are stuff that need an item you get in the area to get it.
The whole point of metroidvania, is to go about things your own way. You don't have to go from point a to point b. You can explore each and every crevice of that area and get so many rewards in return if you have the required stuff to do so. It isn't going to be like: "Hey look get this item in this area" every time your in a new area. It just let's the player run loose to explore and take in the world. This is especially highlighted in Silksong.
One of the ways you can either go through the Blasted Steps and face the Last Judge to get to the Cidel or you can go through Sinner's Road and face off Phantom in the Exhaust Organ and get to the Cidel that way. Both are ways you can get to the Cidel and the game allows you to do that. Again the game allows and rewards exploration through it's music, it's enemies, and it's lore.
But Lily doesn't care about lore and just wants to beline it straight to the end and whine about how she didn't get the cool stuff. You do find new things in each area that's more than just a switch. Like crests, charms, tools, and craftmetal. Lily just doesn't care to do that as evident by her own fucking words. Then again are we really that surprised that Lily can't explore shit to save her life?
