The initial shutdown of the game brought many fans including me to be disheartened. Although it didn't live up to the original, Club Penguin Island proved to be a great concept that was, unfortunately, poorly executed.
During the final months of the game however, it did show potential as new and improved content was being released to the public. They even gave non-members a bit more free will than being tightened to the membership paywall, and even allowed free membership in its final weeks.
Overall, it was a great game. Just not the way that it was envisioned.