The current understanding of the evolution of transient instability modes and the mechanism by which control parameters affect transient stability in direct-voltage-controlled grid-forming inverters still requires further in-depth study. First, the impact of two common current limiting strategies on the transient stability of the inverter is analyzed, and three transient instability evolution paths are summarized. Secondly, using the critical clearing time and angle, the rules of how different parameters in the active power section of the inverter affect transient stability are revealed. In the context of the nonlinear relationship between the internal and grid-connected point voltage of direct-voltage-controlled grid-forming inverters, the critical potential energy of the inverter is used as an indicator to disclose the influence rules of different parameters in the reactive power section on transient stability. The mechanisms behind the anomalous patterns of how different control loop parameters affect the transient stability of the inverter are explained. Finally, the correctness of the theoretical analysis is verified through case studies on the PSCAD simulation platform.