I like pad-per-hole, plated-through perfboard and have
hand-wired a DC-DC buck in the 1A range (after my first
eval-board PCB turned out to have a crappy ground scheme,
and this is a not-uncommon issue). I use the excess component
lead length for most routing of decoupling and close-in
components, "follow the dots". The holes are robust, unlike
single sided Radio Shack project boards. Downside: I spend
$41 for Vector brand 4x6" boards. Upside: it's not my money.
For digital I tend to prefer the style shown above, as there
tends to be a lot of wires per pin and few close-in analog
components. But I do like to get plated through holes and
tinned finish, for quality of connection and ease of soldering.
My PPH handwired eval board worked so much better
than the eval PCB, that I took pictures of the wiring and made
the PCB layout dude copy it.