https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXU-ANzr6wNd0SBQB3ZjfMIM-BiFBi8FL

Will be adding to this.

Found a spot where you can get out with cat form. More info in the video descriptions. Short version is you can access Royal Tomb, UFO and Snowy Mountain and the entire area around the outside of the town but events will not trigger until quests are active as far as I can tell. You can still gain access to shrines in these areas. Hope someone can make use of this.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXU-ANzr6wNeH_GBoRiTh6-flDzA_thNS

My old guide has been posted to this site. https://stinger.actieforum.com/t235-knack-2

Goes over basic to advanced stuff. Not really any speedrunning stuff (other than infinite dash and super jump), just a lot of combat mechanics.