Individual conditions (shooter, role, environment, species...) affect so much on the choice of best sight. In some cases Aimpoint or true 1x LPVO is at it's best on shots that most people would/could/should not take.
I don't find Aimpoint (or any red dot) the perfect sight, like you I want the ability to recognize animals at longer distance etc. But I do want the 1x option for closer shots, so current driven game sight is 1-6x Leica LPVO. I really cannot take quick shots with magnification in 1.1 - 2.5/3.0 range. Eye dominance keeps changing and it slows me down. Also you really need throw lever to get most out of a LPVO.