An improvement from 1st Dead Island.
They fixed some of the issues in Riptide but it's not as bad just needs a little adjustment and it will be even better to play and they do take all your equipment when importing your character from the 1st Dead Island, all your weapons, everything in your storage, all your money, and all your blueprints/mods.
The Good.
I give it a 8.5/10 because it really is a improvement, more weapons, new zombies, and a new playable character.
They added a few new talents/perks/skills (however to you call them) that really do help. They added a leveling system on weapon types for example using blunt weapons you get bonuses and boosts at level 3 or 4 blunt weapons cost 15% less stamina.
It is too much fun to just not get it, it is worth trying out and fun part I like most is using a nail gun.